Artist Statement
My work combines hand-carved block printing with watercolor painting. I’m drawn to linocut because of how deliberate and physical this medium is.
Before printing, I paint watercolor backgrounds that create the color and atmosphere of each piece. This combination of precision from the lino and spontaneity from the watercolor is an important part of my process.
As an engineer, I’ve always been fascinated by how things work, especially the mechanics of flight. The ability of something moving through the air has always felt both technical and symbolic to me.
My current series focuses on creatures that fly. Birds, insects, and other winged forms become subjects through which I explore movement, balance, and the beauty of nature.
Through this process, I try to capture both the structure and spirit of flight.
Artist Bio
Eric Mendeleev is a mixed media printmaker whose work combines hand-carved linoleum block printing with hand-painted watercolor backgrounds.
An engineer by profession and an artist by instinct, Eric approaches his printmaking with both technical precision and creative curiosity. Each image begins as a linoleum block that is carefully carved by hand and then printed onto watercolor paintings he creates individually for each piece, making every single print one of a kind.
Eric has lived in Laguna Beach for over a decade, where the surrounding coastline, canyons, and open skies continually influence his work. An Eagle Scout, outdoorsman, husband, and father, he draws inspiration from time spent hiking, snowboarding, and observing wildlife.
His current series explores creatures of flight, inspired by a lifelong fascination with the mechanics and symbolism of flying. Through these prints, Eric reflects on themes of freedom, exploration, and the enduring human desire to rise above the ground and see the world from a new perspective.