My name is Lyell Castonguay, and I’m a professional artist based in Troy, NY. I was first introduced to printmaking in art school. To start, I draw a design onto a piece of plywood. Then, I use carving tools to alter the wood’s surface, thereby creating an intricate handmade stamp. Ink is applied to this stamp, using a rubber brayer. I place fine art paper on the inked stamp. An etching press applies even pressure, and the force transfers ink from the wood to the paper. The result is called a woodblock or woodcut print.
I’m fascinated with how other creatures move through the world. Some of my animal subjects are realistically depicted, others are subjective. My portfolio features a diverse range of avian imagery, as birds have played a significant role in my life. I keep doves and finches as pets, and one of my favorite artists, Leonard Baskin, made many bird-related prints. I draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including nature writing, documentaries, and folklore centered around human/animal relationships.
My prints are in numerous private and public collections, including the New York Public Library, the Art Complex Museum, and the Aomori Museum. I’ve taught at prestigious institutions such as the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, the Harvard Art Museums, and the Yellowstone Art Museum. If you are interested in learning woodblock printing, please check out my teaching website, bigink.org.
To create my work, I begin by sketching a design onto a piece of cabinet-grade plywood. Next, I use Japanese-style hand tools to carefully chisel around each drawn line. Then, I apply ink to the wood’s surface using a rubber brayer. The areas of the wood that remain un-carved hold the ink, while the carved areas, being at a lower depth, do not. It’s crucial to strike the right balance; too much ink can fill in finely carved details, while too little ink results in a faded or spotty print. Achieving consistent results requires a lot of experience. I then place fine paper on top of the inked woodblock. I apply pressure to the back of the paper using either my hands, a Japanese baren, or an etching press. This force transfers the ink from the woodblock onto the paper, resulting in a finished woodblock print. My work is highly detailed, and I enjoy working on large pieces, so complex imagery can take weeks or even months to complete.
Castonguay’s artwork is produced by carving wood in relief to create a stamp, inking the raised surface, and pressing it onto paper. He renders his animal subjects with exquisite textural detail and rich color. Threads of ecology run through all of his work; he creates woodblock prints inspired by direct observation, research, and personal musings on the natural world.
We coexist with creatures that possess remarkable abilities such as scaling trees, soaring through the air, and having night vision. Their bodies adorn themselves with intricate patterns that vibrate with color. These creatures navigate vast landscapes in pursuit of sustenance, securing mates, and nurturing their offspring. Animals have long held a profound place in the realm of myth and legend, cherished by ancient cultures. They were believed to communicate with us through dreams and convey messages from other dimensions. Fortunately, they continue to resonate in the human psyche. My work aspires to ignite wonder in this fertile ground, and instill a deeper appreciation for these extraordinary beings.
PUBLIC COLLECTIONS
Art Complex Museum, Duxbury, MA
Aomori Museum of Art, Aomori, Japan
Archille Bertarelli Collection, Milan, Italy
The University of Michigan Art Library, Ann Arbor, MI
New York Public Library, New York, NY
Hampshire College Special Collections, Amherst, MA
Wheaton College Special Collections, Norton, MA
University Museum of Contemporary Art, Amherst, MA
EXHIBITIONS (Solos*)
2026
Juried Printmaking Exhibition, Five Points Art Center, Torrington, CT
Inaugural Group Exhibition, Art in the Berkshires, Great Barrington, MA
National Juried Show, Manhattan Graphics Center, Brooklyn, NY
Things Near and Dear, Main Street Arts, Clifton Springs, NY
2025
Emerald Print Exchange, Grey Raven Gallery, OR
Emerald Print Exchange, Maude Kerns Art Center, OR
SAGA’s 90th Annual Members Exhibition, Housatonic Museum of Art, CT
Maine Open Juried Art Show, Oakland Public Library, ME
2024
Monstrous & Miniscule, Riverviews Artspace, VA
Portsmouth Print Expo, 3S Artspace, NH
2022
EVAC Project, Owens Community College, OH
New England Printmakers, New Hampshire Art Association, NH
Life Aquatic, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, MD
Maine Open Juried Art Show, The Framemakers, ME
Creative Edge Group Exhibition, Mitchell • Giddings Fine Arts, VT
2021
Print-Making an Impression, Hess and Leyt Galleries, Elizabethtown College, PA
Maine-Aomori Printmaking Society Retrospective, Lewis Gallery, Portland Public Library, ME
New Editions, Brumfield Gallery, OR
10×10 Invitational, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, MD
2019
Boston Printmakers North American Print Biennial, Wellesley College, MA
Carnegie Gallery, Columbus Metropolitan Main Library, OH
Wolfe Gallery, Maumee Valley Country Day School, OH
Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, VT*
2018
American Frame, Maumee, OH
Ronald Reagan National Airport, Arlington, VA
Lord Hall Gallery, University of Maine, Bangor, ME
Mitchell Giddings Fine Arts, Brattleboro, VT
Riverviews Artspace, Lynchburg, VA
Chases Garage & Artists Studios, York, ME
Art Gym Denver, Denver, CO
Kittery Community Center, Kittery, ME
McGowan Fine Arts, Concord, NH
Imprint Gallery, Cannon Beach, OR
2017
Blue Hill Art & Cultural Center, Pearl River, NY
Stephanie Tubbs Jones Gallery, Cleveland Hopkins Airport, Cleveland, OH
Diane Kidd Gallery, Tiffin University, Tiffin, OH
Muzeul National al Hartilor si Carti Vechi, Bucharest, Romania
Lyme Art Association, Old Lyme, CT
2016
Deerfield Academy, South Deerfield, MA*
Editions/Artists’ Books Fair, New York, NY
Dedee Shattuck Gallery, Westport, MA
APE Gallery, Northampton, MA
Castle of Agliè, Turin, Italy
2015
Seoul Museum of Art, Korea
York Art Association, York, ME
Fine Arts Work Center, Provincetown, MA
Loomis Chaffee School, Windsor, CT*
Western New England University, Springfield, MA*
Bromfield Gallery, Boston, MA*
2014
Easthampton City Arts+, Easthampton, MA*
Salmon Falls Artisan Gallery, Shelburne Falls, MA
2013
D’Amour Museum of Fine Arts, Springfield, MA
2012
Northampton Center for the Arts, Northampton, MA
Rose Contemporary, Portland, ME
APE Gallery, Northampton, MA
Soo Rye Gallery, Rye, NH
2011
A4 Printmakers, Cornwall, United Kingdom
Aberystwyth University, Wales, United Kingdom
Germantown Academy, Fort Washington, PA
Danforth Museum of Art, Framingham, MA
AWARDS & GRANTS
2025
The Priyan Fernando Award, SAGA’s 90th Annual Members Exhibition
Best in Show, Maine Open Juried Art Show
2022
Best in Show, Maine Open Juried Art Show
2015
Best in Show, York Art Association
2014
Solo Exhibit Grantee, Bromfield Gallery
2013
Massachusetts Cultural Council Grant
MEMBERSHIPS
Boston Printmakers
Southern Graphics Council
Society of American Graphic Artists (SAGA)
Print Club of Rochester
Print Club of Albany
