Paula Schuette Kraemer at Oehme Graphics

Sue first met Paula Schuette Kraemer when the artist came to Steamboat Springs to share her work, which had been printed in her own studio, Open Gate Press. Her works soon found a place in the OG flat files. This quick introduction last year led to a highly anticipated week-long visit from Paula. A week that led to brightly colored flying fruit, delicately painted flowers, beautifully glowing watercolor washes, and hands playing unknown games.

Paula came prepared with drypoint and KM photopolymer plates. Throughout the course of the week she made a carborundum plate and a silk collograph plate. Along with these Paula had a chance to paint countless watercolor vellums which were used as background color and context in her prints.

It quickly became clear that Paula’s work came from a deeply sentimental place. She explained that her imagery and inspiration comes from the many stages life has to offer. She finds intrigue in the joys of life as well as the sorrows. “It is not her desire to be known for any one specific theme, but rather to use her artistic ability to portray life’s experiences.” Her work weaves a narrative which evokes a peaceful remembrance and an introspective tenderness.

Paula often works with symbols. This week in the OG studio those symbols were the centerpiece and a group of hands. By the end of the week Paula had printed more than a dozen Centerpieces. Each with a different variety of fruits, flowers or text, all constructed from many layered plates. Simultaneously, Paula worked on a series of prints depicting hands, she mixed silk collograph plates with drypoint, KM, and watercolor vellums.

After trying out many combinations of colors, plates, and techniques, the week came to an end. We found time to make it up to the Strawberry Park hot springs to have a relaxing soak at the end of a week cramped with colorful imagery and symbols. Paula left many finished prints with Oehme Graphics each priced at $600, and took some proofs home to work from. Paula’s time at OG was delightfully inspired and bountifully fruitful.

You can see all of Paula’s work on our website.