Laurel Mathe
@laurelmathe.bsky.social
Designer, illustrator, letterpress & budding lino printmaker. Nature, science, art nouveau, typography, scifi, Tolkien, Pratchett. Kindness. Owned by coffee. Modern world = enjoying artistic anachronisms more. Laurel & Lee Press & mysticdesign.net She/Her
Did an experiment of adding greenery, rocks & splattered paint to my “River Lion” canvas for the Taste of the Tour gallery reception. Much has withered & the ferns have curled while hanging on the wall.
I was relieved to see it working and had not fallen apart! Calling it a success.
I was relieved to see it working and had not fallen apart! Calling it a success.
October 20, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Did an experiment of adding greenery, rocks & splattered paint to my “River Lion” canvas for the Taste of the Tour gallery reception. Much has withered & the ferns have curled while hanging on the wall.
I was relieved to see it working and had not fallen apart! Calling it a success.
I was relieved to see it working and had not fallen apart! Calling it a success.
Photos from my weekend: The Taste of the Tour gallery reception and protesting in Sacramento. I’m living in interesting times …
October 20, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Photos from my weekend: The Taste of the Tour gallery reception and protesting in Sacramento. I’m living in interesting times …
Here’s the photo of the pipevine swallowtail caterpillar living the good life on the pipevine.
June 26, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Here’s the photo of the pipevine swallowtail caterpillar living the good life on the pipevine.
It is the most excellent of fortune circumstances to live in such a beautiful state and have beautiful friends who love to go on walks & talks with you.
So much lupine, it scented the air around us.
Also came across dozens of pipeline butterfly caterpillars dining on their namesake.
So much lupine, it scented the air around us.
Also came across dozens of pipeline butterfly caterpillars dining on their namesake.
June 26, 2025 at 3:32 PM
It is the most excellent of fortune circumstances to live in such a beautiful state and have beautiful friends who love to go on walks & talks with you.
So much lupine, it scented the air around us.
Also came across dozens of pipeline butterfly caterpillars dining on their namesake.
So much lupine, it scented the air around us.
Also came across dozens of pipeline butterfly caterpillars dining on their namesake.
Gathered a few friends to teach some basic linocut. Great day of hanging out, snacking, and learning!
June 26, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Gathered a few friends to teach some basic linocut. Great day of hanging out, snacking, and learning!
This elicited a chuckle from me. Karen has mocked this cat one too many times.
June 23, 2025 at 6:18 AM
This elicited a chuckle from me. Karen has mocked this cat one too many times.
I’m gonna do a shout out for my brother. He’s been creating cool chairs using old skis & snowboards. One of the chairs is made from an old ski lift. He designs & welds, then goes on to tell me he’s not an artist like myself. I say pshaw!
May 15, 2025 at 4:09 PM
I’m gonna do a shout out for my brother. He’s been creating cool chairs using old skis & snowboards. One of the chairs is made from an old ski lift. He designs & welds, then goes on to tell me he’s not an artist like myself. I say pshaw!
Went on a walk today with my son and our best dog, Murphy. Love our foothill forests.
The boot we found with moss growing on it made for a good photo!
The only ick was about the dozen crawling ticks I pulled off Murph afterwards. It was bath time for her.
The boot we found with moss growing on it made for a good photo!
The only ick was about the dozen crawling ticks I pulled off Murph afterwards. It was bath time for her.
February 24, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Went on a walk today with my son and our best dog, Murphy. Love our foothill forests.
The boot we found with moss growing on it made for a good photo!
The only ick was about the dozen crawling ticks I pulled off Murph afterwards. It was bath time for her.
The boot we found with moss growing on it made for a good photo!
The only ick was about the dozen crawling ticks I pulled off Murph afterwards. It was bath time for her.
Hello! Murphy says hi too. She recently protested with “Dogs against DOGE”. She can vouch for me.
February 24, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Hello! Murphy says hi too. She recently protested with “Dogs against DOGE”. She can vouch for me.
I’d like to add a caution, please be careful before posting to avoid making a mistake as the right often does. Research sources & avoid inadvertently posting misinfo & creating “rage bait”. Let’s tackle the rising threat w/ truth. Plenty out there to be enraged about. www.snopes.com/fact-check/m...
February 21, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I’d like to add a caution, please be careful before posting to avoid making a mistake as the right often does. Research sources & avoid inadvertently posting misinfo & creating “rage bait”. Let’s tackle the rising threat w/ truth. Plenty out there to be enraged about. www.snopes.com/fact-check/m...
So yesterday we made our new protest signs. And on President’s Day, today, we we joined about 200+/- in Auburn CA to protest. Not just a protest, but an act of solidarity. Those attending could see they were not alone.
And yes, that’s our dog protesting with us.
And yes, that’s our dog protesting with us.
February 18, 2025 at 5:38 AM
So yesterday we made our new protest signs. And on President’s Day, today, we we joined about 200+/- in Auburn CA to protest. Not just a protest, but an act of solidarity. Those attending could see they were not alone.
And yes, that’s our dog protesting with us.
And yes, that’s our dog protesting with us.
Friend took me to see a beaver dam & lodge. Remarkable thing is, it’s in a small park & pond right next to a large suburb. The lodge was near the center of the pond, likely w/ an underwater entrance. Didn’t see beavers, but plenty of chew marks all around. Inspired to create a beaver illustration!
February 17, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Friend took me to see a beaver dam & lodge. Remarkable thing is, it’s in a small park & pond right next to a large suburb. The lodge was near the center of the pond, likely w/ an underwater entrance. Didn’t see beavers, but plenty of chew marks all around. Inspired to create a beaver illustration!
Agree. This declassified field guide is making the rounds and I downloaded it from the CIA website. In the section under organizations it lists techniques to do just this in ways that fly under the radar.
February 11, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Agree. This declassified field guide is making the rounds and I downloaded it from the CIA website. In the section under organizations it lists techniques to do just this in ways that fly under the radar.
I've open studio days for friends & family to come & work on any ol' project. Today my author friend, Barbara, printed bookmarks on the letterpress to go w/ her new book "Drawing Water". I created the typography/plate and taught her how to use the press. She'll add a tassel to ea. Happy w/ results!
February 9, 2025 at 10:55 PM
I've open studio days for friends & family to come & work on any ol' project. Today my author friend, Barbara, printed bookmarks on the letterpress to go w/ her new book "Drawing Water". I created the typography/plate and taught her how to use the press. She'll add a tassel to ea. Happy w/ results!
Same. Thanks for putting it into the words I couldn’t articulate myself. Also, here’s a dog.
February 5, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Same. Thanks for putting it into the words I couldn’t articulate myself. Also, here’s a dog.
Love all the color choices! Speaking from personal experience, I’ve had luck w/ the warm-yellow color circled in the photo. Worked so well in my studio, I ended up painting a hallway in the house the same color & have no regrets. In the studio I also painted a contrast wall w/ a diff color.
January 31, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Love all the color choices! Speaking from personal experience, I’ve had luck w/ the warm-yellow color circled in the photo. Worked so well in my studio, I ended up painting a hallway in the house the same color & have no regrets. In the studio I also painted a contrast wall w/ a diff color.
Here's my attempt to both print and film. #letterpress
January 19, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Here's my attempt to both print and film. #letterpress
Letterpress printing w/ my friend Eric Peach of Protect American River Canyons. The dipper is our favorite local bird in the North Fork of the American River. My mom, LeeAnn, and I collaborated on this art years ago. Today Eric & I are bringing it back to life on the press.
#letterpress #printmaker
#letterpress #printmaker
January 19, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Letterpress printing w/ my friend Eric Peach of Protect American River Canyons. The dipper is our favorite local bird in the North Fork of the American River. My mom, LeeAnn, and I collaborated on this art years ago. Today Eric & I are bringing it back to life on the press.
#letterpress #printmaker
#letterpress #printmaker
Me examining a new follower
January 14, 2025 at 8:45 AM
Me examining a new follower
This was my first post on Threads in 2023. And this article shows why I’ll be leaving Threads. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
January 7, 2025 at 4:55 PM
This was my first post on Threads in 2023. And this article shows why I’ll be leaving Threads. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
My oceanographer son LOVED the man o’ war print I got for him as a gift from @minouette.bsky.social ! I found a frame that helps it shine too. Here it is hanging on the wall in all its glory. #printmaker #linocut #printmaking
January 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
My oceanographer son LOVED the man o’ war print I got for him as a gift from @minouette.bsky.social ! I found a frame that helps it shine too. Here it is hanging on the wall in all its glory. #printmaker #linocut #printmaking
I'm considering getting this Wesel handpress. Heard about it thru the grapevine. It's been outside for years & is rusted. I'm wondering if it is worth moving & restoring, but can't find anything on online.
Does anyone in the letterpress or printmaking community know anything about this? #printmaker
Does anyone in the letterpress or printmaking community know anything about this? #printmaker
December 31, 2024 at 10:54 PM
I'm considering getting this Wesel handpress. Heard about it thru the grapevine. It's been outside for years & is rusted. I'm wondering if it is worth moving & restoring, but can't find anything on online.
Does anyone in the letterpress or printmaking community know anything about this? #printmaker
Does anyone in the letterpress or printmaking community know anything about this? #printmaker
These are recent letterpress cards I printed featuring my drawings of an otter, great blue heron, and blue-tailed skinks. I only printed about 60 each.
(If anyone's interested, I'm selling them at my etsy shop in sets of three. www.etsy.com/shop/LaurelM... )
#letterpress #wildlife #otter #skinks
(If anyone's interested, I'm selling them at my etsy shop in sets of three. www.etsy.com/shop/LaurelM... )
#letterpress #wildlife #otter #skinks
December 17, 2024 at 12:24 AM
These are recent letterpress cards I printed featuring my drawings of an otter, great blue heron, and blue-tailed skinks. I only printed about 60 each.
(If anyone's interested, I'm selling them at my etsy shop in sets of three. www.etsy.com/shop/LaurelM... )
#letterpress #wildlife #otter #skinks
(If anyone's interested, I'm selling them at my etsy shop in sets of three. www.etsy.com/shop/LaurelM... )
#letterpress #wildlife #otter #skinks
Photos from a walk I took with a friend on Thursday at Griffith Quarry Park. Granite boulders, from immense to tiny, are strewn throughout the hillsides. The grass is acting like it’s spring in December.
December 8, 2024 at 9:12 PM
Photos from a walk I took with a friend on Thursday at Griffith Quarry Park. Granite boulders, from immense to tiny, are strewn throughout the hillsides. The grass is acting like it’s spring in December.