From the Studio April 2016

 Above: Detailed dry point print by Kathy Hawkings

Below: Drypoint print by Louise

 Above: Caroline's print from a photopolymer plate 

Below: Sues' Drypoint

The Press Gang 3 years on...

Printmaking is renowned for being a collaborative activity; studios and workshops play a crucial role in the development of artists’ concepts and techniques in print.

In July 2011 the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre opened with a print studio included. From the first weeks, response to the opportunity of a community print studio was very positive with numbers around 12 to 18 including printmakers, painters, graphic artists, photographers and talented first timers.

It has been a busy and enjoyable three years of printmaking on Fridays and the mediums used have been varied ranging from the traditional to very experimental and yet all output has fitted in with the fairly compact studio.

The studio caters for two of the principal categories of printing method: Relief Printing – linocuts, woodcuts and monotypes. Intaglio Printing – etchings, dry-point, solar-plates, collagraphs and carborundum prints as well as several combinations of more than one technique, referred to as Mixed Media. Other categories such as Screen Printing and Lithography are not carried out due to their specialized nature.

Our upcoming exhibition Sanctuaries, gains inspiration from many aspects of the conservation and preservation of nature, especially through protected area management and bush regeneration associated with parks and reserves. This theme is particularly meaningful for the group, as collectively most base their artworks on flora and fauna regularly. Each member of the group has individually interpreted issues regarding threatened species and habitat and their regeneration.

Indigo Exhibition

Works in progress

Last Friday we had a special viewing when John brought in some of his "Snow gum" series - works in progress.

Artwork copyright 2013 John Crawford

The works above are reduction woodcuts using more than one plate. They're looking wonderful already so we're all keen to see the final results.

Also from Friday's studio were:

Bird drawing for monoprint by Michelle

Collagraph by Judith

Monoprint with collagraph by June