The Impressive World of linocut by the artist Vasily Maslov

On a table, a tower of disused paper rests as if waiting to have a new life. The workshop door opens and with it enter the sun's rays ready to illuminate the entire place. Some hands full of art and awareness with nature, she looks at that tower while she thinks what she will do with them. He decides to take the sheets and after a long and arduous process those papers come back to life to capture incredible linocuts from the hands of an artist, who not only saw an opportunity in the paper but also an opportunity to continue capturing his art.

Thus begins the art of Vasily Maslov, known on the IG social network as @butttercut. Russian artist who not only has his own style in linocut, but is also dedicated to preparing and working on recycled paper that he makes himself.

He gave us an interesting interview where he tells us how he came to this type of art and how he is discovering new surfaces to work on, respecting the environment.

Since when did you start with your linocut art?

Linocut came into my life about a year ago.

Your style is very special, since most of your face prints are line based, so it is easy to recognize your work. How were your beginnings and how did you discover engraved linen?

I have always liked drawing faces. Each face is unique. Of course, I wanted to try to depict faces in linocut. I really like the effect created with the help of lines. I created a custom photoshop layer to help me style the image. Now I'm experimenting with the direction, shape and frequency of the lines.

How do you define your art?

Art is a line. Thick and thin. Solid and intermittent. Everything starts with a line.

We know that you make recycled paper and that you are constantly experimenting with different types of paper. How and when did you start making paper?

I have been looking for a material with which I will be pleased and comfortable to work for a long time. Tried many different papers, but was not 100% satisfied. I decided to do everything myself. I found old books in the attic and started to try. At first it turned out terrible, but over time I understood the process and proportions. Now the result suits me, but I continue experimenting, adding dry flowers, or dye, trying different thicknesses.

Vladimir Mayakovskiy / Vasily Maslov

What do you consider has been your greatest challenge in the world of linocut art?

It would be cool to do a joint work. Negotiate with several printmakers. For example, one cuts one part of the work, the second artist makes the second part, the third prints. Artists can even be from different countries and doesn't matter. Linocut unites. Doing something together is the coolest challenge.

Which one(s) are your favorite linocut artists?

Everyone. Anyone who has ever cut linoleum and printed a picture is the coolest dude.

Have you ever held an art exhibition with your pieces in linocut?

Yes, there were several of them, but these were collective exhibitions, I need to work hard to make a solo exhibition.

Walt Whitman / Vasily Maslov

You are an architect by profession and an incredible linocut artist with a very particular style, added to that you make recycled paper with which you make a great contribution to the environment. Are you aware that you not only contribute to keeping an ancient practice like linocut alive, but at the same time you contribute to caring for the planet by recycling paper?

Yes, of course. It is very important for me. In addition, I am a vegetarian, I think that it is necessary not only to say how you love animals and the planet, but also to do something. I will squeal with happiness if at least one tree is not cut down and at least one cow is left to live thanks to me.

Losif Brodskiy / Vasily Maslov

Girl with a pearl earring / Vasily Maslov

Monalisa / Vasily Maslov