New Printmaker On The Block
Friday 23rd May '08
I tried my hand at just about every form of printmaking before settling for etching back in the 80's - it suited my deliberate and pendantic nature and although I had a lot of success with my geometric screen-prints at the same time I liked the fact I could print a plate in batches and not end up with plan chests full of editions rotting away.
When I moved to Rye in 1993 The first thing I bought was an etching press. I joined all the local art groups only to find they wouldn't allow prints in their group exhibitions! I started doing acrylic paintings of local scenes, found they sold well and soon I was producing more paintings than prints.
When I split up with my partner and moved to Hastings a couple of years ago I had no option but to have my etching press moved to some friends in Appledore, a small village six miles north of Rye. The flat I am in is in a 17th century building and the press would have been just too heavy.
Lo and behold shortly after I did this the local rail network cut the service to Appledore (I don't drive) and I found my press well nigh inaccessible.
I now have a small benchtop press as well but I can't print the 12 inch x 16 inch plates that I used to do.
Because of this and because of the obvious market for my paintings I bought a Epson R2400 printer and GT-15000 scanner and now the vast majority of my income comes from giclee reproductions of my paintings.
The advantages are immense: Once scanned the images can be on my website in minutes and the files converted quickly for use as greetings cards and even a small artist's book.
All very good but.... Amongst traditional printmakers giclee prints provoke a mixed response. I have seen one particular website where the author devotes a sizeable page to a rant against these "rip-offs" and I do have my own reservations.
To confuse matters I recently reissued my St Pancras Station etchings in a set of giclee editions! The station has just been re-opened by Eurostar and there I was sitting on a series of large etchings of the station as it was 25 years ago!
I have just uploaded one of the original etchings; the series is probably one of the best things I have ever done and took nearly two years to complete.
Recent good news is I am close to doing a deal that will rescue my etching press and install it in the shop below my flat where I will be able to do etching demonstrations and sell prints in return for a reasonable rent!
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