Meet Philip Carrico | Printmaker & former educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Philip Carrico and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Philip, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The process that it takes to create an artwork using the printmaking process. There is a misconception that they are just “prints” when in reality each one is an original.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The printmaking process for me includes original reduction woodcut prints, reduction linoleum prints, and wood engravings. I am most proud that my work has been recognized in a strong sense throughout this community that I reside in. I have been honored to receive awards throughout the state and always excited to push the envelope so to speak as I originally started with black and white images and now I am up to over sixteen plus colors. Keep in mind I use one block of wood or linoleum that is reduced down for each color. When the work is done, the block is destroyed and no more prints can be made. I taught art for over 20 years in Fairbanks, Alaska and worked on my MFA the last six years I was there. The challenges were many including financial, hours involved and keeping active in the community. My wife had a full time job which helped tremendously and I tried to manage my time between teaching school and working on my MFA in my studio. Anything worthwhile doesn’t come easy and I’ve learned that my satisfaction has to come from within. Printmaking is fun, because it takes a perfectly simple process like drawing and makes it as complicated and error prone as possible. My goal is to keep printmaking alive.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would hope they would come in late summer or early fall, as I would have them enjoy the Wooden Boat Festival, the Film Festival and the wonderful concerts on the dock. I would take them on a tour of this beautiful Victorian town and of course visit the numerous art galleries that are here. Also there is the Farmers Market every Saturday and a trip to the Jefferson Historical Museum is a plus as well. Favorite restaurants include Fountain Cafe, Finistere, and enjoy a glass of wine or two at the Port Townsend Vineyard or Marrowstone Winery. A trip to the Pourhouse for a chilled beer is also on the agenda with a great view of Discovery Bay. Also if time and weather permit, a whale watching tour on the Puget Sound Express is well worth it!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost is my former college professor, William Prevetti, who gave me the thirst to learn the process and to make it my own. Secondly, my wife who has encourage me along the way, helped me get my masters of fine art and continually runs my business with her financial expertise.

Website: carricovestudio.com

Instagram: @carricophilip

Facebook: philipcarrico@gmail.com