Micah Schwaberow - prints and biography
California Landscapes in the Japanese Woodblock Tradition of Mokuhanga
Micah Schwaberow
Biography
Micah Schwaberow (1948–2022) was an American printmaker whose lyrical woodblock prints capture both the quiet grandeur of the California landscape and the refined discipline of Japanese artistic tradition. Born in Eugene, Oregon, Schwaberow eventually settled in Santa Rosa, California, where the rolling hills, wide skies, and rugged coastline of Sonoma County became central motifs in his work.
Schwaberow’s artistic path took a decisive turn in 1981 when he traveled to Japan to study with Toshi Yoshida, one of the great masters of 20th-century Japanese printmaking and a member of the renowned Yoshida family of artists. Under Yoshida’s mentorship, Schwaberow absorbed the demanding techniques of traditional Japanese woodblock printing, or mokuhanga. This included not only the carving and inking of woodblocks, but also the subtle layering of colors and textures that give the medium its luminous depth.
When he returned to the United States, Schwaberow brought with him a refined sensibility that fused East and West. He remained dedicated to the mokuhanga tradition, adapting its techniques to depict the landscapes and light of Northern California.
Throughout his career, Schwaberow’s work earned widespread recognition. His prints entered major public collections, including the Achenbach Foundation for the Graphic Arts at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the Palace of the Legion of Honor in San Francisco, the California Museum of Art, and the Luther Burbank Center in Santa Rosa.
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By: Micah Schwaberow
Medium: color woodcut
Year: 2011
Edition of 102
Image Size: 14 x 6 1/8"