Archive
Consider the Luxury of Collaborative Printmaking
One Plus One Equals Three Point Five
We usually think of fine-art printmaking as a solitary endeavor, and until recently it has been that for me. But after years of yearning I finally got my Gallinero artists’ residence built, my husband Mike did a terrific job of introducing it on Internet, and artists started coming from all over the world. Most of them arrived by themselves to work together one on one. This was a relatively new experience and it has opened my eyes to new ways of working and new joys in printmaking.
I have done a lot of workshops, both in my studio here in Granada and around the rest of Europe, and always enjoyed the experiences. But there’s no denying that to work along with another artist is something different, a luxury for both. Clearly, two heads are better than one. Then there’s the mutual understanding which the Spaniards call “compenetración.” Working together intensely establishes a joyful dynamic where images and ideas get bounced around , and suddenly creative things begin to happen. Read more…
Video Producer, Juan Carlos Romera Comments on the Printmaking Master Classes Project
When I conceived this video tutorials project I was determined that my first subject should be printmaking with Maureen Booth. I’ve known Maureen and her husband, Mike, for years. In fact, we live just a couple of kilometers apart on the outskirts of Granada. I’ve worked with both of them on other projects and have always admired Maureen’s prints, as well as their uniquely creative lifestyle.
Maureen was actually the female lead in Bive, a 38-minute short film I made in 2006. She played an English printmaker who falls in love with a Spanish fisherman, causing an uproar in Mediterranean fishing village. That film had a brief printmaking sequence which opened my eyes to the magic of creating art with inked plates.
Now, seven years later, I have the privilege of working again with Maureen and delving further into her printmaking world. I hope you find the experience as rewarding as I did.
What Printmakers Need and What They Want
I’ve been doing printmaking master classes in my studio since the late 80’s. Over that time I’ve a learned a lot about what most printmakers need–and perhaps more importantly–what they want (with a nod to Bob Dylan: “She knows what you need, but I know what you want…”) To sum it up briefly, printmakers need to dominate the basics and pay attention to detail. Once they have these factors under control they can let their creative juices flow. To do so earlier often leaves artists adrift for the rest of their printmaking lives. It’s like any other activity you want to take seriously. There’s no substitute for good coaching in the beginning. Read more…
Maureen's Printmaking Master Classes in Video 