Who's Printsy This Week

	Crows on a Rooftop by JoSpaul
	Cupcakes by charlottecooke
	Waterfall, linocut with watercolor by BlueSkyArtwork
	Peeping Tom Cat Engraving by FinnfactorArts
	Coffee Trio - Orange by CrossStreetPress
	Splintering Cascade woodcut print by woodcutposters
	Big, Bad Wolf by tugboatprintshop
	Velveteen Rabbit What is Rea by almostmonday
	1x1 Magnet - Swirl by sfcitysnippets
	Elk with Yellowstone Wildlife Etching by naturesabcs

Interview with Martha Briana of Briana’s Boutique

See Matha's Etsy site and Website

Biography

I am currently living in midcoast Maine. We have just moved up here for a more rural life and are putting together a cabin from an old trailer. We are experimenting with the art of simple living.

Why Printing?

The most fascinating thing about printing is multiples. I find printmaking to be a sort of working man’s process.  I can create a design, and spread it out into the world with a large edition.  

What is your favorite print medium and why?

           

I enjoy woodcuts the most. Wood is friendly, natural, and warm. I really like a woodcut that is raw and bold, that isn’t afraid to say, ‘Look at all this wood I just carved, look at how the grain of the wood penetrates into every print I make.’  Wood is this ubiquitous element so essential, especially in Maine.

How long have you been printing and how has your work evolved?

I have been trying to make prints since 2001. I want to translate a more immediate drawing for what interests me, not as much for the draftsmanship, this is always a challenge. How much skill do you need? How much expression do you need? I am always looking for more of both. 

What or Who influences your work?

I’m drawn to the human form, I’m continually fascinated by why humans do what we do. Also femaleness, sensuality, curving lines and egg shapes are influential. My partners violin shop also has an effect on my art.

How do your promote your work?

I’m a member of the Harlow Gallery, and Circling the Square Fine Art Press in Gardener, Maine. These local venues are great to feel community and support for the arts.

Interview - El Gato Chimney & Emma Malic of PRESSURESCAPES

See Pressurescapes Etsy Site and Blog

Biography

We are a couple of Italian artists, currently living in Milan. El Gato Chimney has been a part of the international art scene for more than a decade, while Emma Malic is a printmaking student at the Academy Of Fine Arts Of Brera. We share not only a love for each other, but also for art at popular prices, collecting contemporary art, and non-toxic printmaking methods. PRESSURESCAPES was born out of our desire to create affordable artwork while working together on a common project.

Why Printing?

Printmaking is an anachronistic activity, intensely tactile, somewhat alchemical. We feel that these aspects make it the right medium to portray our themes: the dark side of things, esoteric imagery, fairytales gone wrong, folkloristic legends and murder ballads.

What Is Your Favorite Print Medium And Why?

We both love aquatint and etching, even though the use of acid means we can only do it at a printmaking laboratory, or, in Emma's case, at school - we look forward to owning a studio of our own!

We are also branching out in other mediums: El Gato Chimney, already familiar with painting on wood, is interested in xylography, and Emma is working on a series of monotypes on fabric.

How Long Have You Been Printing And How Has Your Work Evolved?

Long before we met each other, we both fell in love with the the prints of Flemish artists and, therefore, decided to explore printmaking. El Gato Chimney has been a painter his entire life and only had the chance to have access to an etching press in 2009. Emma made her first print at a workshop in Berlin in 2004 and as soon as she had the chance she enrolled in a printmaking course. With time we acquired more confidence in our abilities and now, instead of using solely black ink and single plates, we create complex multicolored prints with different techniques and multiple plates.

What Or Who Influences Your Work?

As lovers of symbolism, we feel that the worlds created by Arnold Böcklin, Mikalojus Konstantinas Čiurlionis and Odilon Redon heavily influence our work.

El Gato Chimney also cites alchemy, primitivism and surrealism among his inspirations. Emma, always interested in a feminine take on art, counts Leonora Carrington and Remedios Varo as her main inspirators, along with Angela Carter's dark tales.

How Do Your Promote Your Work?

PRESSURESCAPES is still a young project and for the moment we only have a blog that we try to always keep updated. Recently we also had the chance to participate ino a successful group show, and we hope to show our prints to the public again in the near future, as we believe that this is the best way to promote our art.

Any Good Printing Tips Or Funny Printing Stories?

Never be afraid to experiment, some of the best prints find their way to the world through imperfections and mistakes.

Who's Printsy This Week

	letterpress space needle with green and pale blue flock by bittersugar
	Euoplocephalus linocut 1st edition - Hard-headed Vegetarian by minouette
	L is for Ladybug, Alphabet Print by strawberryluna
	Disaster Relief - Paper Crane miniature block print by NydamPrints
	Springscape 005 Linocut print by Zebedeeprint
	Original Linocut Print - STRAW WRAPPED TREES by magprint
	Mini Journal with Monkey - green Cover by monsterinthecloset
	Lookdown on Green 8 by bonniemurrayart
	RIVERSIDE TREE REDUX original hand printed serigraph by printsnat
	A View from the Plane - "On the Way" - Linocut Print by BoardingAllRows

Printmaking for Charity - NydamPrints on Etsy

Printsy member Anne E.G. Nydam (NydamPrints on Etsy) has been inspired by Skoonberg's print and wishes to spread the goodwill. She will donate $6 to UNICEF for each "A Wish for Peace" print sold through her Etsy shop. Please support Anne's efforts by spreading the word, and maybe by purchasing one of these lovely little prints.

Printmaking for Charity - mezzotint on Etsy

Printsy member Imogen Duthie (mezzotint on Etsy) is donating 75% of the price of any sales of her original, hand-pulled prints from her Etsy shop until March 31, 2011. Please check out her listings, and if you find something perfect for your collection, know that you're supporting a worthy printmaker and a worthy charity!

Japanese Inspirations

A treasury of printmaking art inspired by Japanese culture.



Printsy members featured:

WingedLion
Skoonberg
magprint
mizudesigns
breeree
mmcullen
loadedhipspress
lisastubbs

More treasuries featuring Printsy printmakers can be found here and here.

Tsunami Disaster Relief Print

Printsy member Hannah Skoonberg (Skoonberg on Etsy) has created this gorgeous, powerful, effective image to raise money towards the tsunami disaster relief in Japan. Hannah is donating $5 to the Red Cross from each bookmark sold. Please support Hannah's efforts by spreading the word, and maybe by purchasing one of these lovely little prints.

Interview with Emily Lynn Rapp of LynnRappPrints

Visit Emily Lynn's Etsy site and Flickr site

Biography 

I am currently an art student in Charlotte, NC and work in a variety of mediums, but am always a printmaker first. An interesting detail about me is that I am a fraternal triplet (this doesn’t mean there are three of me running around at all times). Soon, I will be moving to Boone, NC to attend school there in the fall.

Why printing?  

I am in love with the challenge. The linoleum almost teases on my work bench, “Ha! You think you can make me into something beautiful? I am what kitchen floors are made of!” The constant struggle when making the plate is a wonderful game to me, and I really get into the rhythm of cutting. Plus, printing takes commitment: once you make a cut, you cannot go back. With painting, on the other hand, it is easy to fix an area if you mess up. This engagement makes me incredibly aware of my body language, and how I interact with the material.

What is your favorite print medium and why?

My favorite print medium is linocuts, because I feel it is the most approachable one. Etchings and lithography requires a large variety of very particular equipment, but linoleum can be found at a hardware store and the cutting tool is very simple, and cheap. It also presents even more challenges for me. I really love achieving fine details in my work, which can be quite difficult with linoleum.

How long have you been printing and how has your work evolved?

I have been printing for only three years, and in that short period my work has grown incredibly. My first year, I was learning the most basic processes and creating really small plates with even smaller editions. In my third year, though, I have really developed a personal voice, as well as confidence with my medium. I am working larger, more details, and am creating high quality editions. Lately, my work has revolved around relationships between humans and other living organisms. This interaction really fascinates me, particularly because of the various relationships we hold with different types of animal.

What or Who influences your work? 

One artist that has heavily influenced me is Kiki Smith. Both her sculptures and prints have a certain clarity to them that I really respect. She achieves beautiful textures and really understands how to compose effective images.

How do your promote your work?

I sell my work locally, when the opportunity presents itself, and just set up an Etsy shop. I also promote my work through my Flickr website.

Any good printing tips or funny printing stories (or both??)

Well, I am a pretty small person (barely 5’2”) and so I often struggle with the physically demanding aspects of printmaking. About a year ago, I was printing etchings and set the press on such a high pressure that my own body weight could not force the crank to move. And so, when I tried to run my plate through the press, I ended up struggling to crank it one inch! I was suspended above the ground, trying to weight the crank down, when finally my friend (who is over 6’) came over and pulled it down without effort. Ever since then, my friends have considered me the little printmaking elf.

Some printing advice it to make a test plate! If you want to save incredible amounts of time and money, working out all the issues ahead of time is indescribably valuable. With a test plate, you can figure out the right way to make the plate, ink, and the correct pressure to use. Even figuring out the right paper requires a test plate! By preventing these mistakes on a small, less time-consuming plate, you can then make the best possible image later!

Interview with Fenny of Hungry Art

Fenny's Etsy Site and Blog

Biography

I am a student at Penn State studying economics.  Hungry Art originated as my high school senior project where I raised money through an art exhibition to help feed hungry kids. My shop has allowed me to continue to pursue my love of art, keeping me sane while I immerse myself in the world of lectures and exams.

Why printing?  

I love to work with different colors, textures, and patterns. In printing, I can reproduce copies of my art work in different styles and designs. One design can look vintage or contemporary depending on the color I use. 

 

How long have you been printing and how has your work evolved? 

I picked up printing almost a year ago. My work is the very embodiment of ‘me’, but they have evolved to become more professional stylistically and literally. I have a library of ideas stored in my mind that show a different and more mature style, but now I just have to find the time to carve them!

What or Who influences your work? 

Bright colors, nature, memories, and meaningful quotes inspire me.

How do your promote your work? 

I normally just relist often and purchase a showcase spot every once in a while. Relisting is the most effective way for me to get noticed, especially since people like to use my art work in their treasuries!

Who's Printsy This Week

	Reeds-etching by wm98102
	Horseback Riding - Hand-Pulled Lino Print by daslinoleum
	Red Rage and Purple Fury by bfhughes
	Landscape monotype original art by HeftArt
	Steller's Jay Bird Linocut Print by BoardingAllRows
	Either Way by ElviaPerrin
	Skull Cowboy woodcut by woodcutposters
	Seed Bloom 094 Linocut print by Zebedeeprint
	Three Bowls, limited edition serigraph by annesilber
	Winter Robin - original linocut by sheekart