Welcome to Haavy's Haven
Let me transport you through time and space, to a particular moment and place. Where colour and style set the mood, while your mind is gently renewed.
I first took an interest in photography in 1999. I had begun working for an electronics retailer and digital cameras had just begun to take off. So when an opportunity to travel to Japan came up in 2002, I was well prepared to photograph the beautiful scenery I encountered. A few years later I returned and expanded my travels to Thailand and Cambodia, where again I stood and photographed scenes I never thought possible.
Fast forward to the fall of 2018, in need of a distraction, I decided to learn how to silkscreen print. Inspired by a woodblock print I had purchased while in Japan, I set out hoping to one day make something similar.
Starting with a photograph.
Silkscreen printing starts with making stencils for the screens. Your design or image must be broken down into layers first.
Each layer is carefully recreated by hand using design software.Think of it as rebuilding a photo using lego blocks, but with a limited supply of colours.
Once finished, each layer can now be adjusted to create the mood and atmosphere you desire.
With the design finished, it can now be brought to life. This can mean printing it on canvas, paper, or a host of other materials. Screen printing is certainly my favorite method of printing as it requires a hands on approach though the entire process.
Because screen printing equipment is mainly designed for printing on t-shirts, it was difficult to find screens big enough for what I had in mind. So I decided to make my own. A decision that has had a profound impact on my life ever since. It led me on a woodworking journey that quickly spiraled into a full on takeover of my garage and most of the rooms in my house. By the time my head cleared, I was milling my own lumber, cutting and profiling picture frames, making my own wood stains, and cutting and painting mattes from 1/8" hardboard. You can see more of that process in the Silkscreen & Woodworking section.
Now something I had not accounted for, but my woodworking peers will attest to, is that everything takes twice as long to finish as originally planned for. Both silkscreen printing, and woodworking come with steep learning curves before you even begin the artistic side of the process. I came to realize I had far more ideas and photographs than I could realistically bring to life with screen printing alone, so I've started expanding into other printing options.
I have partnered with a printing company giving me access to the latest in printing technology and the ability to print at much larger sizes than I could otherwise. My designs are now being printed on canvas as well as premium photopaper, with choice of frame and cropping options. I am also experimenting with printing on metal and acrylic, so check back often as I expand my catalogue, add new colour themes, and print on new materials.
Let tired and boring walls beware, a Haavy print doesn't play fair. With colours and tones made to delight, your walls just lost a good chunk of light!
Thanks for taking the time to visit my site, and learn a little about me.
Please note: All artwork is created from original photography and is copyrighted by the artist.