What's a limited edition, hand pulled print? Instead of making marks (painting or drawing) directly on paper, printmakers make marks on a matrix; Wood, linoleum and screen fabric stretched over a frame are some of the substrates from which I create a matrix. The plates or screen stencils (the matrix) are then charged with ink and traditionally printed onto paper, but you can print on anything that is relatively flat and will accept the ink.

An edition is when more than one copy is printed from the matrix; Since it's all done by hand, the copies are as similar as the printmaker can make them (after all we aren't machines) So each print is a work of art; like diamonds with a similar cut, each is unique. My edition sizes range from 5 to 30 copies; a "true" limited edition is generally under 250.

How long does it take? Making a single matrix can take anywhere from a few hours to a week; printing that matrix can take about 2 to 6 hours depending on the complexity of color, registration, and if the print gods are smiling on you. In fact, I've spent whole days trying to get something to print well on days nothing goes right. One thing a printmaker has to learn is when to call it a day.

The B & W pieces are just one matrix but the color pieces are several; each color is generally a separate matrix. Start counting the hours it takes to make one of these...

I don't want to know.