Tropical Flowers and Prickly Cacti Leap from Lili Arnold’s Vibrant Block Prints

Every year, Lili Arnold’s mother would block-print holiday cards to send to family and friends. When she was old enough to wield a carving tool, Arnold began to make her own, too. But it wasn’t until college, when she took an Intro to Printmaking class, that she became enthralled with the practice’s myriad methods.

Block printing specifically captured Arnold’s attention because of its relatively simple components and technique—no giant presses required. The block can expand in scale, incorporate different colors, or be layered with numerous pressings.

a block print of two tropical pink-and-orange flowers with large green leaves — “Strelitzia Reginae, a.k.a. Bird of Paradise”

“I think what I love most about the process is seeing my first print after so many hours of sketching, planning, carving, and troubleshooting,” Arnold tells Colossal. “There’s a lot of thought and time invested in the steps before the actual print becomes real, so when I see that first reveal, it’s both terrifying and thrilling.”

Arnold’s compositions often revolve around natural subjects, especially botanicals like cacti and tropical flowers. She is fascinated by the environment’s infinite interaction of colors, textures, patterns, and symmetry.

“There’s such vast diversity of plant life out there, each ecosystem encapsulating unique details and wonders,” she says. “We as artists and botanical patrons have the pleasure of translating and expressing our appreciation of this beauty through our artwork, writing, gardening, exploring, and beyond.”

Follow updates on Arnold’s Instagram, and browse prints available for purchase in her shop.

a block print of four calla lilies on a black background — “Zantedeschia Albomaculata, a.k.a. Spotted Calla Lily III”

a black-and-white block print of tropical foliage — “Palm Study III”

a block-printed composition of lupines, an upside-down goose, two fish, and a sun and moon — “Emergence of Spring”

a block print of a prickly pear cactus — “Opuntia Ficus-Indica, a.k.a. Prickly Pear”

linocut printing blocks carved into lupines or similar flowers, with rolls of blue and green ink ready for printing — Blocks ready for printing

a block print of a prickly pear cactus being pulled — Pulling “Opuntia Ficus-Indica, a.k.a. Prickly Pear”

a printing block with a carving of three thistle-like flowers, laid on a wooden table with inks and tools set next to it — Block for “Banksia Prolata”

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