Prints
The foil-stamp prints shown here were made from original calligraphy. The syllables were written with what is called a “metal brush”; this is actually a wide-nibbed pen. The ink-on-paper calligraphy was then photographed or scanned, and converted into a digital image.
In this digital form, the image goes to an engraver, who uses it to make a metal die. Such a die is typically called a “cliché.” For these prints they were made from magnesium. Some of the scans were slightly reduced from original size; otherwise, none of the calligraphic forms were altered.
With the metal cliché, a bookbinder impresses the image into card stock, to align and place it, before making the print. The impressed cardboard is sometimes called a “patrix” (a parallel form to a “matrix”).
Finally, the bookbinder uses the cliché to impress heated foil directly into heavy paper. The bookbinder for my most recent prints is mensch buchbinderei, in Köln.
The seed syllable BHAI
invoking Bhaisajyaguru Tathagata, the Buddha of Healing. The Medicine Buddha works with real illness and pain in the world. His syllable itself is regarded as effective medicine.
Print Series
If you would like to acquire one of these prints, please contact me directly.