Art of Block Printing

As you should know by now, I am a huge lover of indian block printing and thus an avid collector of Kerry Cassill bedding. So I was delighted to discover this video that West Elm produced after meeting hand-block printing artisans on a recent trip to northern India’s Rajasthan. Watch as they intricately carve patterns out of teak blocks and create prints using richly colored pigment dyes. It’s beautiful and truly awe inspiring!

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25 Comments

  1. amalie wrote:

    this is amazing! i wanna try this x

    6.2.11
    Reply
  2. Lucía wrote:

    Beautiful

    6.2.11
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  3. Nikki wrote:

    This is just gorgeous!

    6.2.11
    Reply
  4. Shelby wrote:

    i love those pretty indian designs and had no idea how they created them. the block printing is so cool!! and i am currently drooling over the kerry cassill home line <3shelby

    http://www.makemesparkly.blogspot.com

    6.2.11
    Reply
  5. erin wrote:

    so flippin’ amazing…..to me atleast. i love making stamps…..and traditional indian motifs. my imagination has been sparked…..might have to try this myself soon

    6.2.11
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  6. That is just incredible that they had make such intricate patterns. I’m amazed.

    6.2.11
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  7. yolie wrote:

    A fantastic little film! I have some of these little wood blocks bought years ago at a Cost Plus world market of all places, and never used them.
    until today….
    Thank you.

    6.2.11
    Reply
  8. Jessie wrote:

    wow this is awesome! i have never seen anything like this before. how cool. thanks for sharing it.
    xx, http://wordbyjessie.com/

    6.2.11
    Reply
  9. Nomadic D wrote:

    That is amazing and so beautifully shot! I have some turkish woodblocks (thanks for reminding me, going to pull them out and print something this weekend) but seeing the process of them actually being made blew my mind. Gorgeous gorgeous video!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    6.2.11
    Reply
  10. These are beautiful.. India has got to be one of the most fascinating countries i the world..

    6.2.11
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  11. Zee wrote:

    That is so cool! Where do you guys find this stuff?

    6.2.11
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  12. Stephanie wrote:

    This is great. So intricate, accurate and beautiful.

    6.2.11
    Reply
  13. beccajo wrote:

    i also was given a few blocks by my sister-that video was so gorgeous! i appreciate them even more now!

    6.2.11
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  14. Ann wrote:

    Erica, what an amazing video! I’ve been reading your blog for several months now after a friend told me about it and always check it out eagerly. I’m amazed at the fascinating art you find. I have actually been to India several times because I work at a nonprofit that helps women in India restore their lives after being rescued from forced prostitution. We train the ladies how to make pajama pants called PUNJAMMIES, and many of them are made out of block printed fabrics. They’re so beautiful. Let me know if you ever want a sample to blog about — and to match your sheets :). I linked this comment to our website.

    Much love from a reader,

    Ann

    6.2.11
    Reply
  15. Wieneke wrote:

    wow love this video.

    6.5.11
    Reply
  16. absolutely beautiful! i purchased a few printing blocks last year. if you ever come to Tucson for the gem and mineral show, there are booths full of blocks of all sizes and patterns!!!

    6.6.11
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    • Erica wrote:

      @alexandra, wtf, really?! that’s good to know – the Tucson gem show is at the top of my list!! xx

      6.6.11
  17. Shanique wrote:

    wow that was beautiful great video

    6.14.11
    Reply
  18. Christina wrote:

    I adore this amazing work. The images are absolutely awesome. As a portrait photographer myself I appreciate talent when I see it. Thanks for sharing.

    8.8.11
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  19. Zoe wrote:

    Beautiful share, Erica, thank you.

    5.13.12
    Reply