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suburban tales statement
What's a limited edition print?
 
  Limited edition, hand pulled serigraphs and relief prints on fine art paper:
 
  the more things change   a suburban transformation thumb                
 
  fertilizing fields of artificial turf thumb   whats the buzz thumb   dust settles at dusk thumb        
 
  saisfation is determined by outcme and comparison                
 
 

suburban tales series statement:

Generally speaking, I lead a happy existence; I strive to fully appreciate my relationships and I’m relatively satisfied with the path my life has taken thus far. Looking back, I remember an upbringing in an idyllic environment that allowed me to view my future as full of possibility.


A childhood exposure to superhero comic books, television and movies littered with various male archetypes still impacts my perception of masculinity. A genetic heritage, not all that far removed from that of our caveman ancestors, remains an underlying yet equally strong influence. A multiplicity of media still provides a constant presence of a fantasy life, quietly playing in the background, yet to be attained. These influences slowly and subtly undermine a perfectly rational sense of contentment.


The promises, not of products and money, but of a better life, can be easily dismissed as unreal, fantastic, and merely shallow propaganda. Yet they manage to slowly stain the subconscious and seep into the waking world to seem vaguely possible or just out of reach. These are the “what ifs” that we all wonder about. This work is a representation of those pervasive fantasy images seamlessly and inseparably co-existing with the rational conscious reality of navigating contemporary life.

Back to the prints...

 

  
 
 

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.

Lets look at some prints instead ...