About Macon
Hi, I'm Macon!
I'm an artist, letterpress printer, illustrator, and business owner. I love hiking and spending time in the natural world. In 2012, I hiked the Appalachian Trail, where I met my now-husband Luke. Together we have a small permaculture homestead where we cultivate vegetables and herbs, make fermented foods, cook meals from scratch, craft herbal medicine, and raise chickens and a Basset Hound named Levon. In June 2021, we welcomed our daughter, Dorothy!
I'm honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Organic Growers School, a regional non-profit that supports local farmers and gardeners through practical and affordable education.
Why I do what I do
Connection and consideration for one another are the only ways to cope in a world full of stress and tragic events in the news.
In today’s modern world, despite being able to instantly communicate via technology, many of us still end up feeling distant and disconnected. That’s why I love creating hand-printed cards and thoughtful art prints, so that people can slow down and put a moment aside for handwriting a gift to their loved ones.
It’s a bold, beautiful, and big-hearted act to take time out of a busy schedule to let someone know you’ve been thinking of them.
I offer cheerful greeting cards and personal stationery supporting people to stay connected.
My original drawings are inspired by nature and letterpress printed one-at-a-time. I work out of my homestead studio on a mountainside in North Carolina.
My studio operates with sustainability, sourcing eco-friendly materials from small businesses whenever possible. I live by “reduce, reuse, recycle” and work intentionally with the seasons of nature.
Macon York Press is proud to be a women-led small business serving a growing community of conscientious people who care about people, planet, and beautiful art.
My backstory
2007: I graduated from Sewanee: The University of the South with a BA in Fine Art and began my career in New York City doing magazine layout design and art direction. I worked for Domino Magazine (Condé Nast), New York Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and InStyle.
2010: I craved working with my hands and wanted to have an independent project so I took a letterpress workshop at The Arm Letterpress Studio in Brooklyn one Sunday afternoon in March 2010, and I fell in love with the process. I started spending my evenings and weekends at The Arm creating greeting cards to sell, and my network of friends and colleagues began commissioning me for custom work.
JANUARY 2010 PRINTING AT THE ARM IN BROOKLYN
2011: I flew to Asheville, NC for the inaugural Ladies of Letterpress conference and experienced the vibrance of the letterpress community and larger art scene in Asheville. Later that Autumn, I spent time "WWOOFing" (volunteering) on organic farms in the South of France, learning to live simply and with reverence to Mother Nature.
2012: I thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 2012, where I met my now husband Luke. This experience had a profound impact on my relationship with the natural world.
SEPTEMBER 2012 COMPLETING THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL
2013: Luke and I moved to Asheville, North Carolina where I officially started my letterpress business. I was still offering my line of greeting cards and art prints, as well as custom projects for clients. I began participating in The Big Crafty, a regional art event that celebrates local handmade art, and got involved in the local art community.
JULY 2014 AT THE BIG CRAFTY IN ASHEVILLE, NC
2015: I bought two Vandercook #4T letterpress machines and established my own studio in the basement of my carriage house apartment.
2016: Luke and I got married in Springtime in Appalachia.
SPRING 2016 THE SAVE THE DATES I CREATED FOR MY WEDDING
2018: We bought a home on four acres that we have been cultivating into a permaculture homestead, including a large vegetable garden, chickens, shiitake mushroom logs, composting, herbal medicine, and full moon potluck parties.
2021: We welcomed our daughter, Dorothy, and a new chapter of my life began as I strive to balance my role as a mother and artist / business owner. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do both!
MARCH 2023 WORKING AND PLAYING IN THE GARDEN