Family projects

Timeless Christmas message in linocut.

Sledding on a steep hill!

Color print of a sunny day with the family car in the 1960s

With Fritz being very much a family man, it's great to rummage through boxes of his childrens' art. His four children often went on painting excursions with him, and also had the privilege to learn many of his techniques, including printmaking. These 3 examples of linocuts were made in the 1960s, with his son and daughters ranging in age from about 7 to 13 at the time. With the challenges of a chisel and linoleum, versus a crayon and paper, these pieces turned out quite successful, and are definitely worth keeping.

More Linocuts

Colored print on fabric

Weil der Stadt linocut in red ink

                                     The German astronomer and mathematician Johannes Kepler was born in Weil der Stadt, in the 1500s. This nearby town nurtures its historic  character and keeps its town wall and over 500 year old buildings in good repair, going so far as to rebuild an old museum to resemble its original, and often crooked walls, after a fire destroyed much of it a few years ago.

Linocuts - Printmaking with linoleum

Cathedral of Weil der Stadt, as the cut linoleum

Resulting print

An announcement of phenomenal significance was made in Saskatoon recently, about bringing original Picasso art to the future Art Gallery of Saskatchewan. The name Picasso is enough to make anyone take notice, but the type of art that was the topic, the Linocut, was also very intriguing.  

This method of print making, in Fritz's case, from motifs cut into wood or linoleum, was also a favorite medium, especially in the 1960s, when the Stehwiens lived in southern Germany. The motifs of the medieval village were many, and lent themselves perfectly to 'painting' with cut lines, instead of a brush stroke. Experimenting with colors and materials often really enhanced the look as well.

Colored print of Weil der Stadt Market Square