Chris’s self portrait was created with a conglomerate of letters, numbers, ornaments, and symbols fished out of the pied type bin at his University letterpress studio. After creating the original sketch, a laser engraver was used to cut a stencil out of a wooden sheet. The type was then puzzled into place to create the final design, using a variety of sizes to fill all the nooks and crannies of the stencil.

Within his work, Chris enjoys finding clever design solutions for unlikely materials, especially if they are considered trash or junk. For Chris, it is personally satisfying to elevate something that would otherwise be dismissed or discarded, and the act of repurposing fuels his desire to be creative with his resources.

This self portrait is a nod to the American cartoonist Robert Crumb, who’s work exhibits a satire of contemporary American culture. Referencing the back cover of The R. Crumb Handbook, the phrase “IT’S ONLY INK ON PAPER!” is Chris’s gentle reminder for all artists to have fun, trust the process, and stay curious.

As you view this piece, what words, phrases, or acronyms so you see within the scramble?

Letterpress on florescent cardstock

Christopher A Trejo