Evon Zerbetz : Biography

Evon Zerbetz works in a medium called linocut, where she hand prints an engraved image, then colors each individual print by hand. Her work features mainly Alaskan wildlife, including whales, otters, moose and ravens. Zerbetz is also the illustrator of several children’s books, including her newest release, Little Red Snapperhood.

“All of my works are originals. These are not reproduction prints. Each linocut has been printed and colored by hand from my carved blocks.”

“I live in Ketchikan, Alaska. My hometown is on an island in the rain forest of southeast Alaska. My work is driven by ponderings, questions, and discoveries in this natural world, alternating between science and whimsy, the deep forest and the deep ocean.”

“My brain is very busy – I scratch out ideas ad they come, most of my best ideas begin as nearly indecipherable doodles on pieces of scratch paper. An idea is developed and emerges as I carve it, in reverse, into a linoleum block.”

“I use sharp carving knifes and gouges to create the image. After a process of proofing and recarving, I print my finished blocks using an etching press. Ink is first rolled out to a juicy consistency on glass and rolled in thin layers onto the surface of my carved block. I cover the block with clean archival paper and crank it by hand through the press. The print is pulled from the block and pinned to the wall to dry. The process is repeated for each print in the edition. Inked and pulled by hand, all of my artist’s prints are originals.”

“My small workshop is in the net-mending warehouse of and old cannery building built over the water. I watch boats and float planes go by in the channel as I crank the press.”

“Looking at works of the English engraver William Black, who hand colored many of his etchings in the 18th century, inspired my current technique of hand coloring my prints. The work is quite labor intensive in edition, but it creates the look I want – the contrast of strong opaque ink with transparent washes.”

“I also like to create monotypes and mixed media works, often incorporating paper that I make. Building large vessels, columns and other dimensional objects in paper mache is another interest.”

“The relief print, however, remains my passion. The time I spend working in multiples – the repetition of printmaking – is a rolling meditation in motion. Ten years ago I would have regarded my methods as impractical. But with a nod to the printmaking ancestors – who used printmaking to hasten their efforts in producing the image of Buddha over and over as a means of achieving nirvana, I find myself positively immersed in multiple images. And regardless if enlightenment is at the end of the raven lined road, I simply strive to share my love of the natural world with others.”

Born in 1960, Evon has emerged as one of the premier artists in her medium. She has been awarded two “1% for art” commissions by the State of Alaska. She has also illustrated several children’s books with her unique linocut images. Her first book was Lucky Hares and Itchy Bears in 1996, followed by Blueberry Shoe, Whalemail, and most recently, Little Red Snapperhood in summer of 2003.