My first experiments at making woodblock prints took place when I lived back in Canada. I had never had any contact with Japan, and had absolutely no idea how such prints were made, but after seeing some in a gallery one day, I had an itch to try it myself. I bought a 'cutter knife', found a piece of wood, and started.

I had very grand ideas: I was going to make a series of "Views Under the Moon", all printed with smooth deep colours, showing the moon glowing in the night sky, floating over peaceful landscapes ... (I guess it must have been Hiroshige prints that I had seen!)

But ... my first print was an absolute disaster, looking like something a child in kindergarten would have made. There is no way that I am going to show it to you here! This was a bit of a surprise to me. Of course, I knew that without experience, I shouldn't expect to be able to make something just like a professional, but I was shocked at just how awful it was. Perhaps it was because woodblock prints look so simple, that I expected to be able to do good work right away, even without instruction.

Disappointed as I was though, I didn't give up. The next print was awful too, as was the next ... and the next ... But these failures just made me all the more determined to learn how to make beautiful prints. I quit my safe, comfortable job; I obtained proper tools; I came to Japan to watch 'real' printmakers; I made print after print after print ...

But what a stubborn guy ... because fifteen years later, I am still failing each time ...