The Making of a PREZ

Back in November of 2007, Time ran this cover of Obama, and it dawned on me immediately what kind of icon he had already become. In May of this year, I was in the throes of making a bunch of linocuts of San Francisco and other icons:  Darth Vader, Doggie Diners, Sutro Tower, etc.  Obama seemed to be a natural choice for series.

The Obama print turned out like this:

My Darth Vader turned out like this:

It my good friend Rich who suggested that I combine these two, and call it PREZ.  Leave it to a Chicago Democrat!  I began to work on it right away:

The first step is to make an original drawing, and then trace that drawing so it can be transferred to the linoleum.  I use a blue carbon paper so I can see what I need to cut on the brown linoleum.

This is when I was almost finished with the cut.

When I was done carving, I cut off the excess linoleum to reveal the plate.

Here is the first ever proof made from the plate.  I had to go in and carve out some of the areas that were holding ink, which resulted in this final image:

I have printed 100 of these printed on really nice Rives BFK paper, and they have, by far, been the best-seller of any of my linocuts.  I have about 40 left.  People from all over the world have bought them, and I get emails from them telling me how much they enjoy them.

So, on this day when Obama gets ready to address over 70,000 strong in Denver, I wanted to make this post, because I pledged that I would send $5.00 from the sale of each print to the Obama Campaign.  I mailed him a package today:

That is a check for $300.00, as  60 have sold so far.  And I am giving him print #42, in honor of our 42nd President.  The envelope has 5 stamps - two of the US Flag, one of the California flag, one of the Colorado flag, and one Superman stamp (heh, heh). I also enclosed this letter:

_______________________________

Dear Mr. Obama,

Please allow me to tell you a little bit about this print and this check.  I am a painter and printmaker in San Francisco, and in May of this year I was working on a series of prints based on local icons.  Artists here in San Francisco had already been busy designing posters and t-shirts to support your campaign, and I was inspired by them to create this portrait of you, bringing together a taste for nostalgia and hopes for your successful campaign.

Through local events and my website, there have been 60 people who have purchased the print I have enclosed, and I made a pledge that I would donate $5.00 of each sale to your campaign.  This is an edition of 100 - I full expect to sell out (and send you another check).

But I wanted to send this check today, because tonight you are giving a speech to 70,000 folks in Denver, and I wanted to mark the occasion.

I am sure you will be inspirational, and I’m hopeful you’ll be my PREZ.

Sincerely yours,

Eric Rewitzer

_______________________________

I am really grateful that art and people have allowed me to contribute in some small way to the dialogue during this election season.  Whether you agree with me or not, I encourage you to get involved and vote. 

Comments

[ralph]

and now two and a half years later are you st6ill drinking the kool aid? ROFLMAO!!! the imagery 'is' appropriate though. a little plastic man who pops out bits of candy for the 'children' to eat up. LOL!!! and like the candy he soon runs out and you are left with an "empty" bit of junk.

[Eric]

As of Friday, October 24, I only have 10 left in this series. I am thinking of printing them up in a different color and putting those on the market. I have donated over $600 to the Obama campaign as a result of these prints. I am encouraged that Obama is going to win.

I have not heard anything officially back from the campaign itself in relation to the print i sent them. They have asked me for more money,however. Go O.

[jack]

well?

[Meg]

Hi Eric! I hope you don't mind if I linked this on my blog--it's wonderful.

[ubermilf]

That Rich is a GENIUS.

And cute, too.

[Annie]

awesome! It's been really fun watching these sell so well.

[danielle]

Let us know if he writes back!

[Eric]

You got it, chief.

[Dilf]

Thanks for the shout out. Would you bring one to DC for me in 2 weeks (ironic, no?)