Lisbon 2: Clamshell Portfolio Box with Variable Edition Monoprints

This decorative bookarts and printmaking piece is inspired by the design idea that a container's exterior can reflect something about the object(s) it is designed to contain.  In this case, the colors and surface patterns on the box's cover papers are derived from patterns in the prints which the box contains.  The handmade clamshell portfolio box houses a variable edition of seven reduction woodcut monoprints (6" x 9.5" ea.) which are based on my travel photograph of a doorway in the Peña Palace, Sintra, Portugal.  The variable edition of prints includes relief monoprints of several different states created during the reduction printmaking process, and two improvisational mono print variations.  The box cover papers are monotypes made by over-printing multiple color layers of ink with handmade stencils and masks.

Box: cover papers handprinted with Akua liquid pigments on kozo paper, over archival bookboard or museum board.
Monoprints: relief reduction woodcut prints with oil based inks on Rives BFK paper



Box: 11" x 7 1/4" x 1 3/4" closed
Monoprints: 6" x 9 1/2" paper, 4" x 6" image

2026