Serigraph. 10 colours. w29cm h33.5cm. Signed, 1977, Vancouver, B.C.

This design, slightly reminiscent of Escher, contains many fine lines, especially in the butterfly wings, but also around the geometric figures that fill the background. In commercial silkscreen printing fine lines are produced by cutting pairs of closely spaced lines in the film and removing the area between them. When glue is used, it is possible to prevent glue from adhering to the screen where the lines are to appear by using a greasy fluid called tusche, which repels the water-based glue; the tusche can be washed away with solvent, leaving an open area. Carl experimented with this on the Christmas card "Scheperds", but he found it unsatisfactory, because the glue often crept under the tusche anyway. An alternative, when the lines are light, is to print the light colour first and then overlay a darker colour with the lines stopped out with glue; but notice that the veining on the butterfly wings is dark on a very light background. Carl's method was to apply the glue directly on both sides of the line. Consider how many such lines there are in this picture, and you will understand how much time and what minute patience went into its creation.

Compare also the nets in the picture Fishermen of the following year.

Reproduced here number 4 out of a series of 21 (4/21), Property of artist's family.

Property of artist's family: 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21

All the prints are signed, but many are untitled, suggesting that he was not entirely happy with the title; although, once several were sold, he must have been committed to it.

Owners of other prints from this series are encouraged to contact us.