bio:

Charles Spitzack (b. Saint Paul, MN 1987) is a Pacific Northwest-based artist specializing in woodcut printmaking. He first discovered printmaking at Highpoint Center for Printmaking while attending Perpich Arts High School in Minneapolis and continued his studies at Cornish College of the Arts in Seattle. His work is represented by Armstrong Fine Art, published by Pomegranate Communications, and has been exhibited at institutions including the Tacoma Art Museum, Bellevue Art Museum, Cascadia Art Museum, and the Museum of Northwest Art. In 2024, he received the Kobaien Prize at the International Mokuhanga Conference in Echizen, Japan, and in 2026 participated in the advanced MI-LAB mokuhanga residency. Spitzack teaches woodcut and mokuhanga workshops throughout the Pacific Northwest and online, and serves as Board President of Seattle Print Arts.

artist statement:

I am a visual artist specializing in woodcut printmaking, a medium that allows me to explore both personal experiences and broader societal issues. My practice is rooted in the direct, intuitive process of carving and printing, where I am drawn to the tactile nature of the medium and its connection to the natural world. Using materials and tools derived from my surroundings, I embrace a hands-on approach to creation, and am empowered by the simple process woodcut printmaking provides.

Living in a fast-paced, technology-driven city, I view my work as an act of preservation and protest. The slow, deliberate, and tactile process of woodcut printmaking stands in contrast to the rapid pace of modern life. This perspective has led me to prioritize process over subject matter, often drawing me deeper into the exploration of technique. While the content of my prints evolves, I often explore themes such as equality, labor rights, environmental issues, and the plight of the working class.