Meeting Leslie during my visit to her exhibition Upright and Asymmetrical at SECCA's Southern Idiom series was one of the highlights of my experience so far. The show featured a perfect blend of mediums, creating a natural and personable atmosphere. Later, Leslie had an opening at the printmaking studio and easily tracked me down after seeing me around and working the front desk at the Arts Council.
Printmaking, with its intricate process, quickly intrigued me during our initial meeting. The internship began with a brief history of printmaking and the transformative impact of the printing press on information dissemination. Beyond the endless creativity it offers, I found the ancient technology of printmaking—ink on paper—fascinating.
We worked in three studios and visited another, which was eye-opening. It allowed me to see how working artists set up their spaces for order and success, tailored to their needs. In the social climate of 2022, I felt compelled to respond through my work. Our first project focused on learning the mechanics and familiarizing myself with the materials. After being introduced Ben Blount, a printmaker from Chicago, I was drawn to the idea of crafting art with a message. We did free writing exercises and sent Ben a letter along with a print.
The second project required deep focus on the process as we created imagery for the broadside at Readings by the Press with Terry Schupbach-Gordon at Sawtooth. Terry, a friend and mentor, has a true gift for storytelling and is a masterful printmaker. Leslie guided me through developing a broadside, showing me how to approach each step with care and precision. For this project, I carved an image into a cherry wood block, positioning it around a poem. The design concept required several press runs, helping me concentrate on perfecting every detail before finalizing the prints.
For Project 3, I created a poster that resonated deeply with my life at the time. It was a message to myself and those close to me, emphasizing the importance of seeking information independently and working hard to pursue the truth. I printed these posters on a cylinder press machine and learned a new technique for applying ink with hand brayers. Experimenting with colored paper, I used a neutral palette to give the posters a vintage, 'old head' feel.
At this point in the internship, Terry shared her personal collection of art, books, and art books. Some of the books focused on printmaking, highlighting the medium's versatility. Leslie also invited archivist and book artist Sauda Mitchell, who shared insights about her archival work and brought in some of her handcrafted books. These books were meticulously designed with intriguing concepts connected to our history.
For the final project, I brought everything I had learned together. I created a simple woodblock carving dedicated to my Grandma Pat, who had recently passed away. One of the aspects I love about printmaking is the ability to produce multiple prints. I made enough copies to give to family members as a lasting reminder in their homes. I carved a scene of my grandmother’s living room from the perspective of her respected seat, or throne. Leslie suggested that my grandmother was the first curator of our family, as her living room walls were filled with portraits and pictures of each family member. Leslie also taught me a unique printing technique on an etching press, making the most of what we had in her studio.
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