THE KAYAK affords us a way to glide silently through a most delicate and sensitive habitat. Having only a ghost-like presence, I follow the rhythm and flow of the tumbling stream as it transitions and shifts to a lower key... the wavering reeds, the smooth-worn stillness of rocks, the dragonfly and the water strider.  Here the aquatic community blends with feathers and fur. The river bank is home to many birds and animals.  Through the reflections and ripples, I can feel a mysterious drama and unusual tension. I observe cracks in the dried-out finger-sloughs and receding pools. I note down other curious features along the ever-changing river bank.  This is the nature of the shallow water habitat and it's worth a closer look.
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- Chris Hammond
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​Artist's Kayak platform

EXPLORING NATURE, LANDSCAPE, & SHALLOW WATERS

Digital Printmaking
The images below incorporate sketches that I make in my journal while on the river in my kayak. ​My goal on these trips is to take a closer look at nature and landscape - above and below the surface of the water. 
In the digital studio, I experiment with my journal pages by re-sizing, adjusting colors, and blending images together.   I create composite prints made from separate sketches, often selecting favorite details from a number of sketch versions.

​printmaking in the digital west

Chris Hammond