Today we’d like to introduce you to David Wolske.
Thanks for sharing your story with us David. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My first encounter with letterpress printing was in 2001, at an exhibition of monoprints and concert posters by Hatch Show Print. The dynamic typography, riotous color, and hand craftsmanship made a profound impression. I felt in my soul that I had discovered my purpose in life. I researched opportunities to learn how to be a letterpress printer and found out there was a letterpress shop at Indiana University Bloomington. I applied for graduate school, and when I was accepted into the program, I got keys to the shop. For three years, I practically lived and breathed letterpress.
I supplemented my graduate studies with visits to private and academic letterpress studios around the midwest. Printers are very generous in sharing the knowledge with enthusiastic newbies. I absorbed everything I possibly could about printing history and techniques. By the time I earned my MFA in Graphic Design in 2005, I was carrying on the tradition of sharing by teaching workshops in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
In 2008, I moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, to work as the Creative Director for the Book Arts Program and Red Butte Press at the University of Utah. For over seven years, I designed branding, posters, websites, exhibitions, and limited edition books. I also taught typography, design, letterpress printing, and artists’ books classes and workshops.
During my time in Utah, I was also actively creating and exhibiting a body of experimental typographic prints. To achieve my vision of a contemporary, abstract vocabulary, I developed new letterpress methodologies and techniques. This work resulted in a prestigious Utah Visual Arts Fellowship (2014), and two years later, an unprecedented Visiting Artist residency at Hatch Show Print, in Nashville, Tennessee.
I moved to Denton in 2017, to join the renowned Communication Design faculty at UNT. I teach all levels of undergraduate typography and graphic design. Along with my academic activities, I continue my independent design and art practice through commissions, exhibitions, publications, lectures, and workshops.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Because I explore the boundaries between design and art, identifying an audience for my work continues to be tricky. Gallerists, art appreciators and buyers, and exhibition jurors sometimes have difficulty categorizing what I do.
Also, exhibiting and selling work through galleries can be challenging and expensive. I get rejected for more shows than I get accepted. Besides submission and gallery commission fees, the costs for framing, shipping, and insurance add up quickly.
We’d love to hear more about what you do.
I am a typographic designer and artist specializing in experimental and abstract work that evolves the medium of letterpress printing.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up loving the visual, performing, and literary arts, as well as design and quality craftsmanship. And I’ve always pursued these interests with ambition, passion, and determination.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.david-wolske.com/
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/davidwolske
Image Credit:
Duston Todd, Alexander Landerman
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