Food of the Gods

Possumwood, a limited-edition, linocut print.

Our new, limited-edition linocut print, Possumwood, was inspired by the Possumwood tree. According to folklore, the Possumwood’s seeds can predict winter weather. The silhouette of a fork in the seed’s cross-section foretells a mild winter whereas that of a spoon predicts cold winds and heavy snow. Meteorology is just one of this special tree’s attributes. Possumwood fruit is known for its compounds which are said to yield a variety of health benefits, from blood pressure reduction to hangover relief. Both salubrious and succulent, the tree’s bright, orange fruit is sought after by people and creatures alike (especially opossums, hence the name). The formal name for Possumwood is American Persimmon, and the Latin name, Diospyros Virginiana, means “Food of the Gods” (by way of Virginia).

Inspiration for Possumwood.

Inspiration for the print’s composition and elements came from multiple sources. The mirrored layout refers to Scherenschnitte, a traditional form of German and Swiss paper cutting. The birds and fruit echo Japanese woodcuts depicting birds and persimmons. And the orange globes against a blue landscape recall Brazilian Modernist Tarsila do Amaral’s 1923 painting, “Blue Figure”.

Possumwood in process.

To create Possumwood, I used a reduction printmaking technique. This approach consists of using the same block and removing surface area in between each printing pass. Colors layer on top of each other to complete the image.

Possumwood shown with our wallpaper, Coneflower, color Pale Aqua.

Possumwood is a limited edition of 35 prints and is available for purchase on our website.