Interview with JJ Eisfelder of Prairie Rose Press

Biography

I grew up in Kansas City where I was able to start exploring many different art forms at a young age. I went to college in Missoula, Montana, where I earned a B.F.A. in Printmaking and also studied Ceramics. A few years after college, I moved to rural Virginia to set up a studio where I have spent the past twelve years making nature-inspired prints and functional pottery.

Why do you like to print?

I find printmaking to be a challenging and surprising medium. It is challenging because I really have to think about how to break apart a particular scene into different layers and also to anticipate how a certain texture will print. It is surprising because my favorite prints have been the ones that are not planned, but are the results of trying a different color scheme or of experimenting with a new way of layering my plates. I also like the freedom to change the colors of an image and to explore how that changes the mood of the print.

What is your favorite print medium and why?

I enjoy relief printing, specifically woodcut, linocut and collagraph. I love the stark lines of the wood and linocuts and also the looseness and the freedom to experiment of the collagraph. 

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

I have been a printmaker for more than 15 years but really dedicated myself to it about 5 years ago. I started out making limited edition representational prints of trees, veggies and flowers. I still use some of these images, but my work has become much more experimental. I like to experiment with layering these landscape images with crazy colorful patterns as the background, exploring how color changes the feel of the print. Most recently I have been tearing and reassembling my prints into what I call “collagraph collages.”

What inspires you?

I am inspired by all things natural, by trees, flowers and leaves, but also by the patterns created by blades of grass or the ripple of water. 

How do your promote your work?

Besides my Etsy site, I sell at a few craft shows in Virginia every year and do a home sale in Kansas City (where I am from). I sell my work at a few galleries, including j fergeson gallery, where I currently have a solo show of my most recent work. I am also working on developing a personal website through artspan.com that will highlight my larger and more involved prints and collages.

 Are you working on any particular projects now?

I just finished a solo show of my most recent work at j fergeson gallery in Farmville, VA, and am continuing to experiment with this body of work. The two newest prints in this show were inspired by patchwork quilts, where the printed squares were actually sewn together to form a quilt-like piece. I am continuing to work with this idea and am hoping to find some other galleries to show this new work.

Tell us one random fact about yourself.

Besides being an artist, I also grow and sell a unique heirloom onion called Egyptian Walking Onions through Local Harvest, which I like to describe as “Etsy for farmers”!

Check out: 

Prairie Rose Press Etsy shop

Prairie Rose Press Facebook page

Interview with Gary Thomas of GarThoma Studio

Biography

Born and raised in Muncie, IN. I received my BFA degree in studio art with a concentration on drawing from Ball State University. I then went to Southern Illinois University in Carbondale for a Masters Degree in Printmaking. While living in Carbondale I made a living as a window washer. I have been teaching art at the university level since graduating from SIU in 2000. I have taught in Missouri at Culver-Stockton University; in Indiana at Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis and Taylor University. I also worked as a barista while I lived in Indiana. I currently live in Kankakee, Illinois and teach studio art (drawing, painting and printmaking) at Olivet Nazarene University. 

Why do you like to print?

When I was a student at Ball State I focused primarily on drawing. I love to draw. I put off the required printmaking class because I felt that printmaking was somehow secondary to drawing and painting. When I finally got to the class and made my first print I was absolutely head over heals in love with the medium. I just connected with the process of creating a matrix and then making multiples to share and trade with my friends. Everything about it is just fabulous to me, especially the wonderful surprise I get when I lift the paper off the block or plate to reveal the image. And, of course, nothing can compare to the smell of a print shop! 

Favorite Print Medium, Why?

The woodcut is my favorite. I really enjoy the graphic quality and the unique mark that I can create with the various carving tools. I love the fact that there is no other way to get that kind of mark. I also love the simplicity of woodcut printing. All I need are just a few carving tools and a piece of wood; I don’t even need a press, just an old wooden spoon to rub the back of the paper onto the inked up block. 

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

I have been printing for about 13 years. My work has really just matured over the years, rather than evolved. The choices I make are more intentional. I have let myself make a lot of mistakes and I have learned from them. 

What inspires you? 

The Holy Spirit 

How do you promote your work?

I am still working on that. I am open to ideas that others might have. I am not able to quit my day job yet; that would be nice to do sometime, though. I look for every opportunity to talk about my work: I blog; I tweet; I Facebook. Also, I try to get my work into shows as often as I can. I am an art professor at a university so that takes a lot of the time that I would otherwise be working on marketing and promotion. When I do have extra time, I like to create work. 

Are you working on any particular projects now? 

I am currently working on a series of cuts that tell the story of Christ. Also, I am trying to fill up another sketchbook. I get lots of ideas and inspiration from keeping a sketchbook. 

Tell us one random fact about yourself.

I have a 15 mile commute to work which I usually do by bicycle at least twice a week.  I love the exercise, being out on the bike, and I love not paying nearly $4 a gallon for gas!

Check out Gary's Etsy Shop and Blog

Printmaking Treasury!

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 with Kelly Yeomans

Kelly's Etsy and Website are linked at the end of this interview.

Biography

My shop name is Kelly Christina Artworks. People always comment about my name - they usually think that either Christina is my last name or that my full first name is Kelly Christina, both of which would seem kind of funny, I suppose. Actually Christina is my middle name. Surprise!

I received my BFA from Grand Valley State University in Grand Rapids, MI in 2002. My emphasis was in illustration and graphic design. I also studied for a fall term at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. I grew up on the east side of Michigan, then spent 11 years in Grand Rapids before moving to Madison, WI, where I currently reside.

How Did You Get Started In Printmaking?

I took a couple of printmaking classes in college. One focused predominantly on intaglio and the other was all about woodblock. I loved it, but at the time I was focusing much more on graphic design so when the classes ended, sadly so, too, did my printmaking. Then, about 2 1/2 years ago a ceramics friend of mine asked me to do an art show with her. Without a professor or boss telling me what subject or medium to use, I instinctively thought to try my hand at printing again. And so became the rebirth of my love for printmaking.

Describe Where You Work

My studio is located in my apartment. I have an upstairs loft with a little cubby and window in the corner where I have my space.

What Is Your Favorite Printmaking Process?

I currently do wood block and linocut prints, which I enjoy, but would love to be able to get into etching again.

What Is Your Creative Process For Any Given Print?

I will do rough sketches of a million different ideas in my journal first. From there, if I am carving from a linoblock, I will create a more refined drawing which I then transfer onto my block through good old pencil graphite rubs. If it's on a wood block then I draw directly onto the block. The reason for the different process being that the lino is too soft for my constant drawing and erasing.

What Do You Enjoy Most About Printmaking?

I enjoy the reward of pulling that piece of paper off the block and seeing a beautiful piece of art work that I sometimes even surprise myself with.

What Is Your Least Favorite Park of the Process?

The actual printing of the piece. I haven't invested in an actual printing press yet, so the printing process is excruciatingly long, as all I have is a wooden spatula and really great arm strength.

What Are Your Inspirations (other artists, people, places, events, etc.)?

My inspirations tend to be mostly things in the natural world, though I also enjoy patterns, textures, urban, modern and subject matter that is whimsical and narrative. A few artists that have inspired my work are Gwen Frostic, Mary Cassatt, and Robert Rauschenberg.

How Has Your Work Changed Since You Started Printing?

When I initially got back into printmaking 3 years ago I was definitely more than a little rusty and my prints were fairly primitive. I don't usually have large amounts of color and detail elaborations anyways, but I like to think that it's because it is more of my choice now as opposed to my lack of abilities. Having said that, I feel that I am constantly growing and changing as an artist and am always looking to learn new skills and refine the ones I possess.

How Do You Get Past Creative Slumps?

I used to get really stressed out over creative slumps. I actually did almost no fine art at all for 5 years because I was so hung up on my creations having to be perfect in both aesthetic and concept. Now I do what I like even if there is no "greater meaning" to it other than it's a bird that just looks really cute. I also work in other mediums, so if I'm feeling bored with carving I'll get my pen and inks out instead - or do another creative activity that has nothing to do with visual art (like baking).

How Do You Promote Your Work?

I've worked enough in other jobs to have a million different ideas for great ways to promote my work, unfortunately, I don’t have the same budget that Steve Jobs; has, so for the time being, it mostly through internet resources and word of mouth - with a couple art shows thrown in every now and then.

Any Other Comments Or Advice For Others Who Want to Try Making Hand-Pulled Prints?

For people wanting to get a start in printmaking who are also on a tight budget, there are a lot of relatively inexpensive "beginner" materials available now. And you don’t have to have a press either - just a really great wooden spatula!

Kelly's Etsy Site
Kelly’s Web Site