My name is Renee Lewis, and I am the face of Parchment Possum. I am a local artist from Louisville, KY. I’ m working on a BFA in graphic design with a minor in printmaking. I like to dabble in a little of everything, from printmaking, graphic design, painting, illustration, jewelry making, and much more. I take a lot of inspiration from traditional tattoo work, folklore, occult, and oddities. If I’m not doing art work with pop punk playing, you’ll probably find me wandering an antique store, traveling, reading a book, or cuddling up with my dogs playing a cozy game.
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Why the name Parchment Possum?
Parchment is a play on the fact printmakers love playing with different kinds of papers, and I love exploring with different materials when being creative.
The possum part is because of a health issue I’ve dealt with since childhood. I basically pass out when scared, really stressed, anxious, in pain, etc. So I’ve always joked I’m playing dead like an Opossum. So I really relate to the little guys and think they’re really misunderstood babies.
( No O on the name because Possum sounded much better)
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Why printmaking?
I mostly focus on printmaking because how you can create the same image multiple times, and each print is still unique and just a little different. Giving all individuals access to one of a kind art. I also love the community that printmaking has and the sharing/trading aspect this art from typically has.
If you have any questions on printmaking and my supplies, please reach out! I love talking printmaking and would love to help a baby printmaker <3
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Can you explain a little more how you create the relief prints?
With creating relief prints, I am basically carving a giant stamp. So after I carve the stamp, I roll ink on it and then place paper carefully on the image. I thin use my woodzilla press or a barrn to rub the image. if I did everything right with the ink and pressure I’ll receive a print like I have posted in my shop :)