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Friday 12pm - 5pm Saturday 12pm - 5pm

Clawhammer Press, Box 2731, Fernie, BC (2026)

Name: Clawhammer Press
Address: Box 2731, Fernie, BC, V0B1M0, CA
Telephone: +12509466400
Price range: $$

We offer full design services, letterpress printing, and fine art printmaking.

• OnlineWorkshops & drop-ins
• Custom Letterpress Printing
• Cards, Posters & Promo items

Contact us for a tour (Please note *COVID 19 RESTRICTIONS APPLY)

08/31/2026

One of the reasons I wanted to take on a project of this magnitude was to climb deep into the work of wood engraving. Unless I carve out big chunks of time, I end up dancing around my process in an unfocused way. Taking on a show, or large commission, or momentous project like this one allows me to test and refine and test again. My process is evolving and that’s exactly what I want.

Each of the 26 wood engravings for this abecedary are designed to amplify a poem that relates to a part of my and my family’s history in the Kootenays. Some are very personal, others are whimsical, still others are tied up in local geography and history which is not always pleasant. For each I am trying to capture the vibes of the poems. For this illumination of the Fernie Ghostrider, a local legend that is a bit dark, I wanted to capture the iconic view while maintaining the somber feeling of the fable and the so-called curse. All of that has to happen in a 2 x 3” space which is always a challenge. Did I succeed?

Like and follow for more of my effervescent content ;)

08/28/2026

Here’s a little bit of my layout process. I’ve been sketching the images in actual-size (2x3”) on paper. I feel like I was born with a pencil in my hand so iterating these thumbnails feels really quick and natural for me. Once I get the idea settled, there are many ways to get the image onto the block, but to keep it analog from beginning to end I’ve decided to grid out both the thumbnail and the block, and transfer them by hand. The catch: I have to transfer them in mirror image. As a letterpress printer I’ve been looking at things mirror image for 20 years, so I don’t find this to be a huge deal, but I still have to be careful when the image is somewhat symmetrical. First I’ll lightly sketch with a pencil, then go over that with a pilot Fineliner which is a pen given to me by Wes Bates at Wesley Bates who finds this to be the best pen for adhesion to the smooth maple surface. It takes a bit to dry because I’ve sealed it with pigment already, but once it does I’ll be able to start carving without losing my pen lines.

This block is an image of the Fernie Ghostrider—a local legend of unknown origin that has become a part of the lore of the valley and the formation of Fernie. The tale, to my ears, smacks of settler invention with indigenous princesses and coal necklaces, but like it or not it’s part of our town now. Regardless, the distinct shadow on my favourite mountain—Mount Hosmer—of a rider on a horse is most clearly seen this time of year in the evenings, so it’s fitting to start this now.

From here I can start laying in some of the main shapes with my spitsticker (a curved engraving tool). More on that later.

08/27/2026

Each day I look at this quote sitting on a shelf in the bathroom. It’s a simple dollar store piece of decor, but the ten words written on it give it so much value. That’s what great people do: make everyday moments valuable. Small people tear down big things, great people build up small things. Even though there was so much more to her, I’m grateful Dolly if only for this one quote and all of the encouragement it has given me to keep chasing myself. I just don’t know if there is better advice a person can give…

“Find out who you are, and do it on purpose”. —Dolly Parton

08/26/2026

Trying a different coloured background to see if this is easier to work with. I’ve seen other engravers like Marcelo Kopp and Townsen use red instead of black and my initial sense is that it makes the planning wireframes easier to see, but still gives a good idea what the contrast will be on the proof. Jury is still out but I’ll keep you posted.

This white-faced ibis drifted into our valley a few years ago. Apparently we are right at the northern edge of their known range, but it was still odd to see this tropical bird in the Canadian Rockies. I have had fun imagining what the story was that brought her this way…

This is #17 of 26 so down to single digits for the abecedary.

08/21/2026

Hey lovely folks. It’s been a while since my last post, and sometimes summer is just like that. It all started with and unexpected trip to Lethbridge to help some family, then off to Salmon Arm for a wedding, then to Vancouver to help my son move, then ferry dear friends back to the Koots for some much needed lake time. Read books, swam, paddled, and slept. Back to Fernie to celebrate the life of a dear friend. Not gonna lie, it’s been a rollercoaster. I’m glad to be back in the studio and chipping away (literally) on some more engravings for my project. More on that soon.

I hope you have all had some good downtime this summer. Catch up soon?

—Mike

07/16/2026

Next up: a very personal overture to the Kokanee salmon.

Address

Box 2731
Fernie, BC
V0B1M0

Opening Hours

Friday	12pm - 5pm
Saturday	12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+12509466400

Website

https://www.clawhammer.ca/

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