Shop Notes: S3E99 with Mark Johnson
In this episode of Platemark, host Ann Shafer talks with artist Mark Johnson who shares his extensive experiences working with Krishna Reddy, a master in simultaneous color printing (viscosity printing). The conversation reveals insights into Reddy's creative process, his philosophical approach to art and teaching, and the technical intricacies of his printmaking methods. The episode also touches on Johnson's own journey, the influence of Reddy's teachings on his career, and the continuing relevance of Reddy's techniques in contemporary printmaking. Don’t miss Mark’s stellar video on simultaneous color printing made for PCNY’s spring 2025 exhibition of the work of Krishna Reddy curated by Sarah Burney.
"It’s not just about the mechanics; it’s about the way the colors breathe together on the metal." — Mark Elliott Johnson
https://www.markelliottjohnson.com
PCNY video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cSgvqHjTO8
PCNY Catalogue: https://issuu.com/ipcny/docs/web-krishna_reddy_publication
Krishna Reddy rolling a plate for a class at NYU.
Krishna Reddy rolling a plate for a class at NYU.
Mark Johnson demonstrated simultaneous color printing for a PCNY video, 2025.
Mark Johnson demonstrated simultaneous color printing for a PCNY video, 2025.
Mark Johnson demonstrated simultaneous color printing for a PCNY video, 2025.
Mark Johnson inked and printed Clown Dissolution for the video produced in association with PCNY’s 2025 exhibition.
Mark Johnson inked and printed Clown Dissolution for the video produced in association with PCNY’s 2025 exhibition.
Mark Johnson inked and printed Clown Dissolution for the video produced in association with PCNY’s 2025 exhibition.
Mark Johnson inked and printed Clown Dissolution for the video produced in association with PCNY’s 2025 exhibition.
Krishna Reddy (American, born India, 1925–2018). Clown Dissolution, 1994/97. Mixed color intaglio (simultaneous color print/viscosity print). Plate: 13 x 20 in. Courtesy Print Center New York.
Krishna Reddy (American, born India, 1925–2018). Wave (La Vague), 1963. Mixed color intaglio (simultaneous color print/viscosity print). Plate: 14 5/8 x 18 3/4 in. Courtesy Print Center New York.
Krishna Reddy (American, born India, 1925–2018). Untitled [Woman of Sunflower], 1997. Mixed color intaglio (simultaneous color print/viscosity print). Plate: 14 1/4 x 18 3/8 in. Courtesy Print Center New York.
Krishna Reddy (American, born India, 1925–2018). Great Clown, 1981. Mixed color intaglio (simultaneous color print/viscosity print). Plate: 39 1/4 x 29 5/8 in. Courtesy Print Center New York.
Drill bits in Krishna Reddy’s studio. Courtesy Print Center New York.
Mark Johnson (American, born 1964). Dark Matter, 2020. Screenprint, pencil, and cold wax. Sheet: 26 x 22 in. Courtesy of the Artist.
Mark Johnson (American, born 1964). Galaxies/Black Eye, 2014. Etching. 13 x 12 in. Courtesy of the Artist.
Mark Johnson (American, born 1964). Dark Matter, 2023. Screenprint, pencil, and cold wax. Sheet: 26 x 22 in. Courtesy of the Artist.
Mark Johnson (American, born 1964). Viscosity/DM Three, 2018. Color viscosity etching. 12 x 12 in. Courtesy of the Artist.
Mark Johnson (American, born 1964). Plate for Dark Matter/DM One, 2018. Copper etching plate. 12 x 12 in. Courtesy of the Artist.
Curator / Podcaster / Blogger / Cyclist
Ann Shafer is an independent curator, art historian, writer, and a leading expert on intaglio printmaking by Stanley William Hayter and Atelier 17. Formerly Shafer was associate curator of Prints, Drawings, and Photographs at the Baltimore Museum of Art. She has also held positions at the Whitney Museum of American Art and the National Gallery of Art. Shafer has a BA from The College of Wooster and an MA from Williams College. (Photo credit: Becky Redett)
Show Notes: S3E97 with Chuck Webster
