The WEEDS rubberstamp set is happening oh so slowly. Here’s a look at the process of painting the custom box that will house the stamps. 

Step 1: Design layout. I made the weeds overlap every surface so they look like they’re taking over the box. 

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STEP 2: Because I’m producing a few copies of this artwork (in artspeak it’s called a ‘limited edition multiple’), I trace the design so each set will be the same. 

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Step 3: I mixed my own black because I am a NERD. Not all blacks are equal. The stuff in tubes is usually flat and one-dimensional. You can’t see in the photos, but this is actually a very dark navy-grey that comes out as rich, warm black against the nyatoh wood’s reddish tone. I mix in equal parts sealer (the white stuff, dries clear) for durability. 

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Step 4: Here we go! 

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Step 5: Paint paint paint. I start from the top left and work my way across. 

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Step 6: OMG done! The top of the box is a lid that slides out, but when closed it just looks like one continuous surface. 

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Step 7: Identification underneath the box. ‘AP’ means artist proof, which is like a trial run piece – you work out all the glitches so that the proper editions will be perfect, or as close as you can get. 

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Step 8: Now this baby is ready for waxing, which protects the wood, gives it this crazy sexy satiny sheen…

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…and brings out the beautiful grain. 

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This thing is taking up alot of hours, but I’m loving every second. More than anything, this is the part of my job I dig the most. The making. 

More pics of the stamps and box on my Facebook page. Stay with me, I’ll announce when it’s done and ready for the world.