Excerpts from Collecting Prints, by Leila Lyons, Random House, 2006.

From start to finish, an original print is under the control of the artist. He or she chooses the subject, the technique, the printing process, and controls the quality of the impression on paper and the number of prints in the edition to be printed.

If the print is pulled after the artist’s death, the print is no longer an original print but rather, a restrike. Restrikes are invariably inferior because they are not printed by the artist or under the artist’s supervision.

Second, an original print is usually not one of a kind (except for mono prints) but rather one of a series (an edition) of nearly identical images. Since there is more than one impression of each print, “original’ does not mean “unique.” But while the basic image remains the same, the condition and clarity can be markedly different from impression to impression.

Third, not everything that has the label of original print is actually an original print. Caveat emptor - buyer beware. Many times a reproduction print will be represented as, or mistaken for, an original print. Ask for a gallery or dealer to give you written documentation on the authenticity of the print. Any reputable dealer will provide detailed information about your purchase and will stand behind their inventory. As you become more familiar with prints, you will be comfortable identifying the processes, papers, and coloring of original prints.

Excerpts taken from Collecting Prints, by Leila Lyons, Random House, 2006.

More of a pond than a lake at the end of a beautiful hike up to Beehive Basin on a tumultuous windy day just outside Big Sky, Montana.

Original woodblock print
5”x 7.25”
Edition of 20

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Just after light snow in early autumn on Lone Peak at Big Sky, Montana, Way of the Mountain is a reduction  woodblock print pulled from a single block of basswood; printed on Somerset paper with oil-based inks.

Reduction woodcut; 6.0″ x  8.5″
Edition of 25

Sherwood Point Lighthouse, built in 1883, was one of the last maintained lighthouse on the Great Lakes. Located in Lake Michigan near Sturgeon Bay and Door County, it stands on a point about 60 feet above the water. The lighthouse was automated in 1983, one of the last of the Great Lakes lighthouses to be automated.

Multi-block woodcut; 6" x 8"
Edition of 44

Point Betsie Light stands on the northeast shoreline of Lake Michigan, near the entrance to the Manitou Passage. Construction was finished on it in 1858 and it began service the following year. It was automated in 1983, and along with Sherwood Point Light, one of the last to be automated.

Multi-block woodcut; 6" x 8"
Edition of 40

A view of Split Rock Lighthouse on the north shore of Lake Superior. One of the infamous ‘Gales of November’ back in 1905 wrecked or sunk almost 30 ships and spurred the construction of this iconic lighthouse. It’s one of the most photographed places in Minnesota.

The lighthouse was commissioned in 1910 and became part of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park in 1971. In 2011 it received designation as a National Historic Landmark.

Woodcut with watercolor; 3.5" x 5.5"
Edition of 50

Lime Kiln Point State Park is one of the best land-based whale watching spots in the world. On the western edge of Washington State’s San Juan Island, and the Haro Strait which separates the San Juan Islands from Vancouver Island, it’s possible to see Orcas, Gray, Humpback, Minke whales, and Porpoises.

This is a woodblock print of Lime Kiln Lighthouse looking out at Haro Strait.

Original woodblock print; 6”x 8”
Edition of 50

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The cherry-wood block I carved and used for printing Lime Kiln Point State Park. 6”x 8”.

Prickly Pear is found scattered around the San Juan Islands, and throughout much of North America.

Original woodblock print; 2.75”x 2.75”
Edition of 100

The four hand-carved cherry-wood blocks used for printing Prickly Pear.

Original woodblock print; 7.75”x 5.5”; SOLD OUT

Looking toward Shovel Point in the distance at Tettegouche State Park in northern Minnesota on a heavily overcast day.

4”x 7.5”; Original linocut print; SOLD OUT

Minnehaha Creek after a late-winter snowfall.

Woodblock print with watercolor; 5.5”x 5.75”

It’s a short hike from the visitor center at Tettegouche up to the highest points of Shovel Point, but well worth it for the expansive views of the north shore.

On one of your hikes, you might see a storm like this approaching Tettegouche. Shovel Point offers many dramatic perspectives, especially from the edge of the cliff looking southwest toward Palisade Head in the distance.

6”x 6”; woodblock print; edition of 15

Tettegouche is one of my top three Minnesota State Parks. It combines spectacular views of the lake and shoreline, but also great hiking on the Superior Hiking Trail with views of the Sawtooth Mountains, a bunch of waterfalls along the Baptism River, including the 60 ft High Falls, and several lakes in the back country. It's a fantastic place for photography, sketching, or painting.

This is a sketch in oils of heavy weather heading toward Palisade Head and Shovel Point at Tettegouche State Park.

8”x 10”; oil on board

Tettegouche is an exceptional combination of geological interest, botanical and wildlife abundance, and the beauty of its rugged landscape.

5”x 7”; oil on paper

Watercolor sketch of storm clouds clearing over Tettegouche State Park on Minnesota’s north shore.

5”x 6”; watercolor on paper; $150; SOLD

The Temperance River, on Minnesota’s north shore of Lake Superior, has carved out a gorge providing countless mesmerizing views of the river and its cascades and falls. A number of bridges cross the river in the Park, including the one pictured here in the lower gorge area.

One-block original woodblock print
6" x 4"; Edition of 6

The iconic Stillwater Lift Bridge as seen from a hill in Stillwater, MN, looking upstream along the winding St Croix River, which forms part of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Four-block woodblock print
4" x 10"; Edition of 50

Mt Baker, in North Cascades National Park, as seen from a ferry to the San Juan Islands. Mt Baker is the third highest peak in Washington State.

One-block woodblock print
7.25" x 9.5"; Edition of 12

Sourdough Mountain Fire Lookout, in North Cascades National Park.

Two-block woodblock print
7.25" x 7.25"; Edition of 12