A neuroscientist's experimentation with printmaking
Combining art & neuroscience
Brainbow Prints features original neuroscience-themed artwork using traditional printmaking techniques. All designs are hand-carved and hand-printed in the artist's spare time from her full-time job as a postdoctoral researcher.
Different printing techniques I use
Simple linocuts
Multi-block or multi-color prints
Multi-block or multi-color prints
A classic technique where an image is carved into a block of linoleum or another similar material, ink is rolled onto the block, and then the ink is transferred onto paper via pressure
Multi-block or multi-color prints
Multi-block or multi-color prints
Multi-block or multi-color prints
A step up or two in difficulty, where "jigsaw" blocks are printed together or consecutively, or different color inks are blended to create a "rainbow roll".
Reduction prints
Multi-block or multi-color prints
Reduction prints
A frustrating but rewarding process where the same block undergoes multiple rounds of printing with different colors with additional carving between each layer. Requires very precise alignment and lots of time for drying!
About the artist
About me
Dr. Nina Baumgartner is a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Alabama at Birmingham studying neuroendocrinology. Brainbow Prints started as a creative outlet during her postdoctoral research. She enjoys applying the scientific process to her artwork, and using her artwork to funnel her creativity in her science.