Eye on the Prize

Another print done with dry point and mezzotint. I really like the texture you can get from both of those techniques.

Overcome

This print ended up giving me some trouble but in the end I think it came out to be a nice print. I used a few techniques in this print like line etching, aquatint, roulette, stenciling with spray paint and scraping and burnishing. Some of the issues I had were the white dots, they were caused by bubbles in the acid and I foul bit parts of my aquatint.

Dry Printmaking

Both of these prints were made using dry printmaking techniques. The top print I created using only dry point and the bottom print is a mezzotint. Both techniques don't require acid to create the image making them dry techniques.

Print Exchange

This was a print done for a print exchange done with BYU-Provo. The print was made with three plates using techniques like soft ground, spray paint, aquatint and dry point.

Monotypes

Monotypes are prints that can only be produced one time while using a printing method i.e. press or baren. These are monotypes that were made during some free time while at school. I am taking pictures of a lot of my art work to get a portfolio out.

BYU Print Exchange

So I am gearing up for another print exchange with BYU. The picture above is from the last print exchange I participated in with BYU my print being the bottom right uncovered. It was a lot of work but still a lot of fun. For this exchange the edition size will be smaller the last one was 27 and this one is around 18. Another fun part about exchanges is meeting with the other artist.

Process - Wiping

In the print lab the counters are cover in glass. Where we can roll out and lay out ink for our plates.

The ink is specific oil base etching ink. There are a wide range of colors that you can use but some them will react with the copper change it to a dull gray of that color used. So that is why you see black prints. Here I am using Vine Black ink.

I apply the ink with a square piece of mat board. Forcing the ink into the etched lines. After applying the ink over the entire surface of the copper I being to wipe the surface of the copper leaving ink in the recesses of the etched lines.To wipe the plate a type cloth called a Tarletan.

After wiping the copper plate almost completely with the Tarletan I finish wiping the plate with the palm of my hand. While wiping I try to keep one hand clean by using a glove. That way I won't get ink on my paper. For this particular print I had seven plates combined to make one large print

Almost all plates are inked and lined up ready for a piece of paper to be laid on top and ran through the press.

Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibit

Rising - 22x30Waiting-Temptation-In The Home - 22x30Redemption-Connection-Perception-Lost Childhood-Devotion - 22x30Invitation-BFA was such a great experience. Thanks to everyone that helped throughout the process. As you can see above these are all my prints for the BFA show. My artist statement read,

Being a religious person, I am always wondering how I can express my feelings to others while not offending or bombarding them with too much information. I feel I can be most effective through symbolism. If a person is inspired by my work they may seek out a greater knowledge of what I am trying to portray.
Throughout my life I have been inspired by art. It is what makes me function. The thought of creating something with my own two hands gives me enjoyment.
Composition is one of the hardest things to master. So I think it is nice to work in abstractions because you are not limited by reality. You have free rein to work out the composition.
If you haven't already checked out Carla Jimison's Blog please do she wrote a nice blog about me working on some of my prints.

BFA

Well it is that time of the year and this is the year I am showing in the BFA. For my BFA show I am doing a series of prints that relate though religious symbolism. I will be posting pictures of the show after the opening so if you can't make the opening you will get to see what I have been working on. For those that can make it the opening is this Thursday at 7:00 p.m.

Mezzotint Rocker Part 2

As you all know I bought a Mezzotint Rocker with the prize money I got from the student art show. Well during the Christmas break I made the parts to to this rig which help me rock the the plates faster and a lot more even. As for the plate that it is sitting on that is one I am working on for my BFA show that is coming up soon.

Mezzotint Rocker

So I finally received my mezzotint rocker in the mail. I went with the 4 in. rocker and got the weights to go with it. I have already tried it out and the weights help a ton. So hopefully everyone will be seeing some mezzotint prints from me in the near future.

Monotype

So I was looking up an artist this last week and I came across this artist by the name of Koichi Yamamoto . His art just inspired me to try something like what he was doing while still putting my own elements of art into it. So this is my Monotype where I used string, ink blends, transfer drawing and paper towel wipes.

Student Art Show

This last Thursday was the opening for the student art show. The pictures above are of all the things that submitted. Everything that I submitted got in the show. They were (from the top) Untitled (print), Eve (print), Fallen Man (sculpture), The Comeback (book & box), Candy bowl (ceramic) Sushi Plate (ceramic). The show was juried and there was prize money for 1st 2nd and 3rd. So for the extra good news I got first in two categories the first was printmaking for Untitled and the second was book arts for The Comeback. So what am I going to do with the prize money? i am going to buy a mezzotint rocker for printmaking.

P.S. Thanks to everyone that voted on the poll it was really helpful.

Think Ink Opening

This last Saturday I had the opportunity to exhibit my prints along side other advanced printmaking students of BYU-I. In the exhibit "Think Ink" held at The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho. Posted above are some pictures of me along side the prints and also a small glimpse of how many prints were shown. Personally I had 15 prints on display in the show.

Think Ink

Today is the opening of the show "Think Ink" at The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho. It will consist of art from the advanced printmaking class at BYU-I. Fifteen of my most recent prints will be shown and will be available for purchase. If you get a chance, come check it out. Open from May 8th- August 1st.

Workshop

These pictures are form our last workshop. The workshop was on how to do monotype prints. The photos are of the students work and one of nick demo pieces (the blue bird), me helping with the press and the student that attended.

Workshop

This Saturday my friend and fellow artist Nick and I were able to teach our second printmaking workshop for The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho. At this workshop we taught the students how to make a Drypoint print. It was a lot of fun and they gained a greater appreciation for intaglio printmaking.