Patsy brought some beautiful weather with her from California–finally sunny days here in Steamboat; a perfect kick-off for our summer of back to back projects. We have been so lucky to have the amazingly talented Christie Ginanni Stepan, who owns Fancy Ink Press in downtown Steamboat, help us this first week. Sue and Christie worked together with Patsy a few years ago. They both have been busy making aquatints, etching plates, and proofing prints for Patsy’s project. We are also so happy to have our first official intern at OG, Ashley Denio, coming from St. Mary’s, Pennsylvania and just graduated from Alfred University. The shop feels full of energy and hard work (and new people!)
Patsy is working on two series of prints with different themes that will be available as portfolios as well as individually. The extremely delicate and fine textures in the plates as well as the carefully planned out layers of shapes and tones of color are making gorgeous images. We have been proofing all week getting combinations of colors and plates right, and they are all coming together cohesively and beautifully. They will make truly breathtaking, jewel-like pieces of art. This picture shows an aquatinted plate that Sue was “stopping out” using asphaltum–she painted very carefully over her predetermined square. When it is etched in the acid, the blocked out portion will stay smooth and no ink will grab on to that area when wiped with dense black ink.
Christie and Patsy discussing the proofs of the plates…is it dark enough or light enough? Enough tone around the edges? Should these three go together??
Check back next week to see completed works and more about life here at OG. Happy Summer!