Intaglio-Type Workshop I

I just came back from a great 5 day workshop with Keith Howard where we learned many Intaglio-Type (non-toxic printmaking) methods which he has painstakingly developed over the years. The intense workshop took place at Don Messec’s studio in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Don practices non-toxic printmaking to the T! Making art safely is not only his mantra, but also is the title of a series of workshops on digital photography and printmaking.

I was very interested in learning some new photo printmaking techniques for my monoprints, and wanted a printing plate that was cheaper to use than the solarplates that I’ve been using. Behold, I not only learned photo techniques, but tons of other dynamic ways to creat imagery on the ImagOn film which we adhered to PEGT plexi plates. I was also pleased to find out that I could easily cut these plates into shapes, which I already do with my solarplates. Keith Howard uses Akua inks, which are water based inks. They’re less toxic, dry quickly, and clean up easily without solvents!

Keith Howard demo

Keith Howard demo

My friend and I found time in the evenings and during the road trip to/from New Mexico to visit some of the wonderful sights in the area. We joined Keith Howard, his family, & Don Messec at Lake Abiquiu for a night hike and picnic; visited Canyon Road for the Friday art walk; listened to music on the Plaza; saw El Santuario de Chimayo, Taos, and the Taos Pueblo. The colors in New Mexico are spectacular, the history intriguing, the landscape is mesmerizing. It creates fodder for future imagery… especially in my palette.
Sanctuary in Chimayo

Sanctuary in Chimayo

I have so much to say about the whole experience at the Intaglio-Type non-toxic printmaking workshop that I will have to devote that to later blogs. I’m preparing for an art festival this weekend in Boulder. Come Visit!

Leave a Reply

You can use these HTML tags

<a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <s> <strike> <strong>