Lynne Medsker Art & Photography: Works on Paper, Collage

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Over the past few years I have come to love printmaking! Printmaking is the process of making artworks by printing, normally on paper. The process is capable of producing multiple copies of the same piece (except in the case of monotypes/monoprints), each of which are called a print. Each print is considered an original work of art, not a copy. Works printed from a single plate create an edition, and generally each one is signed and numbered to form a limited edition. This process is unlike painting or drawing, which can create only a unique original piece of artwork.

Monoprinting is a form of printmaking that has lines or images that cannot exactly be reproduced. There are several techniques for monoprinting, including collage, hand-painted additions, and a form of tracing where thick ink is laid down on a table, paper is placed on top and is then drawn on, transferring the ink onto the paper. Monoprints can also be made by altering the type, color, and pressure of the ink used to create different prints. Some standard printmaking techniques that can be used to make monoprints include lithography, woodcut, and etching. Monoprinting has a matrix (the surface that the print is created on) that can be reused, but not to produce an identical result. This type of print is known as the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques. A monoprint is often regarded as a non-editionable kind of print - essentially a printed painting since no two prints are alike. The beauty of this medium is also in its spontaneity and its combination of printmaking, painting and drawing media.

A single print can be the product of one or multiple printmaking techniques. The majority of my printmaking is done using a gelatin plate (yup, that's right...a nice thick layer of unflavored gelatin, similar to Jello!) although I have also experimented with block prints. Finding alternate print methods allows me to create in many different places as it elimates the need for a press. Frequently my images are "multiple drop" types of prints, where the paper is printed, new images & ink are applied to the plate then printed again, repeating to build up layers of ink and concealing bits of the original print in the process. The gelatin plate itself gives the artwork some surprising results. As it becomes slippery with ink the prints become more painterly and fluid-looking rather than precise, Although you can clean and reuse the plate it will eventually start to break down resulting in cracks, crumbles and a textured surface that will appear in each print. Sometimes this can add interest and surprise to your images and send you in a new direction. The gelatin can even be carved for relief printing, although it does not hold up for multiple prints. I learned the gelatin plate process from artist Candace Nicol during the workshop I attended at St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City, Nevada during July of 2007 and have continued to experiment with it since that time.

New prints

Prints from 2008

Prints from 2007

Collagraphy & Collagraphs

Collagraphy is a printmaking process in which materials are applied to a rigid substrate (like cardboard or wood). Things like acrylic texture mediums, sandpapers, string, cut cardstock, leaves and grasses can all be used to create a collagraph plate. While some of my collagraphs are made from gluing cardstock or cardboard together and adding acrylic texture most have been made by cutting away the surface of matboard to leave a design. The matboard is then sealed with several layers of clear acrylic spray to help it from breaking down too quickly during the printing process. Ink, paint or pigment is applied to the collagraph plate and is used to print onto paper or other surfaces. Although this process can be done with a printing press I use the gelatin plate and/or print them by hand, rubbing paper onto the surface of the plate. Collagraphy is a very open printmaking method. You can apply ink to the upper surfaces of the plate with a brayer for a relief print, or the ink can be applied to the entire board and then removed from the upper surfaces while remaining in the spaces between objects, resulting in an intaglio print. You can even combine the two methods! Pictured below are samples of plates and the prints that were produced with them, prints made from collagraph plates that aren't shown, as well as several plates by themselves. I have found that the plates can be works of art in themselves, especially after several printings have left behind colorful tones to the surface of the plates.

Block Prints/Reduction Prints

Layered Prints (block prints over watercolor prints)

Collage

After creating a large background I then follow my intuition as I select & place collage materials on the background paper.
Using a pre-cut mat as a guide, I move it over & around the large piece to find interesting smaller compositions.

Artist Trading Cards (commonly called ATC's) are mini works of art that are popular with all sorts of artists. The original ATC project was initiated in 1997 by zurich artist m.vänçi stirnemann. Since then people from all over the world have traded ATC's! They can be one-of-a-kind original pieces or also can be created as limited editions. Card styles include pen & ink, watercolor, acrylic, printmaking, mixed media, scrapbook style, sewn/stitched, digital as well as others. Ranging from simple to ornate, serious to silly (and everything in between), they can make a statement, express emotions or share your favorite interests. They are art for arts sake! Each card is 2.5" x 3.5" (the size of a playing card). They are originals, small editions and, most importantly, self-produced. Anybody can produce them! Everyone, regardless of age or skill level, can benefit from this appealing art form. ATC's are created for the purpose of sharing your art, collecting art from others and connecting with fellow artists. The idea is that you trade them with other people who produce cards, either at trading sessions, when you meet another ATC trader in person or even online. For more information on making ATC's here is a great webpage: Art In Your Pocket

Samples of my Artist Trading Cards:

One-of-a-Kind Cards

Digital Cards

Editions/Series

Doodles

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