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Platemark Episodes

June 3, 2025

s3e82 topology- and philosophy-imbued domestic scenes with Ellen Heck

In this episode of Platemark, Ann Shafer talks with artist Ellen Heck about her artistic journey and work. We talk about the intricacies of printmaking techniques, Ellen's various portrait series, and the conceptual ideas behind her work.

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April 8, 2025

s3e78 electronic arts in printmaking with Myles Calvert

In this episode of Platemark, Myles Calvert, a printmaker and professor, shares his extensive journey toward becoming director of the Institute for Electronic Arts at Alfred University in New York.

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March 25, 2025

s3e77 documenting the printmaking ecosystem with Susan Goldman

In this interview with the director and founder of Lily Press and the Printmaking Legacy Project, Susan Goldman shares her passion for printmaking and documentary film making. Susan discusses her journey from discovering printmaking at Indiana...

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March 11, 2025

s3e76 the print studio as sanctuary with Bryan Raymundo

In this episode, Ann talks with Bryan Raymundo, owner of the Black Fragment Press. They discuss their meeting at the Mid America Print Council conference and Bryan’s background, from growing up in Mexico and Kansas to his love for Black Sabbath and...

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Jan. 28, 2025

s3e73 seeking a higher meaning in art with artist-activist Art Hazelw…

In this Platemark interview, artist-activist Art Hazelwood discusses his journey as a printmaker, starting with his experience moving to San Francisco in the early 90s, where he engaged in political art through the Street Sheet newspaper. He...

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Dec. 31, 2024

s3e71 double-drop printing with artist Art Werger

In this episode of Platemark, I interview Art Werger, a renowned printmaker and retired professor from Ohio University. We discuss Art’s extensive experience and techniques in printmaking, focusing on his work in etching and mezzotint. Art shares...

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Nov. 5, 2024

s3e67 on being artist and curator with Amy N. Worthen

In s3e67 of Platemark, I talk with Amy Namowitz Worthen, a distinguished engraver and curator, about her lifelong journey in printmaking. Influenced early by her artist mother, she pursued art education at Smith College and the University of Iowa,...

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Sept. 10, 2024

s3e64 starting a printshop with Jenny Robinson

In this episode of Platemark, host Ann Shafer talks with renowned printmaker Jenny Robinson who recently opened up her eponymous print shop in Sydney, Australia.   Jenny shares her experiences moving from America to Slovenia during the Trump era,...

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Aug. 13, 2024

s3e62 artist Teresa Cole on the humanness of pattern

In this five-part mini-series, Ann is talking to five artists who were selected to be included in an exhibition called 5X5, that was part of Print Austin's winter festival this year in 2024. The juror of the show is Mysczka Lewis, who is a curator at...

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July 30, 2024

s3e61 artist Annalise Gratovich on chine collé

Wondering how far you can take chine collé in a project? Listen in as Annalise Gratovich tells us all about this method of adding thin pieces of hand-dyed papers to giant woodcuts. In s3e61 of Platemark, podcast host Ann Shafer continues talking to...

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June 18, 2024

s3e59 satirical etchings with artist David Avery

In s3e59, Platemark host Ann Shafer sits down with David Avery to talk shop. David is an etcher, who restrains his work in both size and palette, but manages to tackle big topics. His social commentary is stinging and remarkable in that it comes in...

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June 4, 2024

s3e58 marble lithography with artist Anna Trojanowska

In s3e59, Platemark host Ann Shafer continues talking to artists included in Print Austin’s 5x5 exhibition, juried by Myzska Lewis, a curator at Tandem Press. Second up is Anna Trojanowska, an artist and lithographer from Wroclaw, Poland. Anna...

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May 21, 2024

s3e57 unique reduction woodcuts with artist Karen Kunc

In s3e57, Platemark host Ann Shafer speaks with Karen Kunc, an artist who manipulates reduction woodcuts in an amazing and unique way. Karen is a retired professor from the University of Nebraska, and is owner of Constellation Studios in...

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May 7, 2024

s3e56 word-salad screenprints with artist Briar Craig

In s3e56, Platemark host Ann Shafer introduces a five-part miniseries with the artists in 5X5, an exhibition that was part of PrintAustin 2024. First up is Briar Craig, one of five artists selected for inclusion in 5X5 by juror J. Myszka Lewis,...

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April 23, 2024

s3e55 Mexican cartels and conceptual rigor with artist Miguel A. Arag…

In s3e55, Platemark host Ann Shafer speaks with Miguel A. Aragón, artist and professor at the City University of New York, Staten Island. They talk about CNC routers, drills as woodcutting tools, growing up in Juarez, Mexico, and that city’s war on...

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April 9, 2024

s3e54 domesticity and wallpaper with artist/engraver Andrew Raftery

In s3e54, Platemark host Ann Shafer talks with Andrew Raftery, artist, professor, scholar, and wallpaper designer. Andrew works in several modes, most notably in engraving. The through line in the work is domesticity. An early print featured a young...

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March 26, 2024

s3e53 mezzotint technique and history with artist and author Carol Wa…

In s3e53 of Platemark, hosts Ann Shafer and Tru Ludwig conclude their conversation with Carol Wax, artist and author of The Mezzotint: History and Technique. Carol recently published the second edition of The Mezzotint, expanding greatly in every area...

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March 12, 2024

s3e52 mezzotint history and technique with artist Carol Wax (part one)

In s3e52 of Platemark, hosts Ann Shafer and Tru Ludwig talk with Carol Wax, artist and author of The Mezzotint: History and Technique. Carol recently published the second edition of The Mezzotint, expanding greatly in every area from the 1990 first...

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Dec. 19, 2023

s3e46 engraving deep dive with Latvian artist, Reinis Gailitis

In s3e46, Platemark host Ann Shafer speaks with Reinis Gailitis, an engraver from Riga, Latvia. The magic of the internet is fully on display today. Without it, finding Reinis's work would have been challenging. But his self-portrait in the style of...

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Dec. 4, 2023

s3e45 singer-songwriter Bob Schneider's etchings

In Platemark s3e45, host Ann Shafer talks with Bob Schneider, who is best known for his music but is a serious artist as well. You may know some of his best-loved songs like , , , and , but you will be delighted to learn about his print...

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Oct. 3, 2023

s3e39 social justice and satire with artist Sue Coe

In s3e39, Platemark host Ann Shafer speaks with Sue Coe, an artist and social activist. The pair were joined in the conversation by Tru Ludwig (Sue is one of Tru’s art heroes) at Sue’s home in the Catskill Mountains, New York.   Sue creates...

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Aug. 29, 2023

s3e34 electrolytic etching with artist Jason Scuilla

In s3e34, Platemark host Ann Shafer speaks with Jason Scuilla, artist and professor at Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS. The university is hosting the Mid America Print Council conference in the fall of 2024, and Jason was eager to talk about...

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Aug. 1, 2023

s3e31 photogravure deep dive with artist Lothar Osterburg

In s3e31 of Platemark, host Ann Shafer speaks with Lothar Osterburg, artist, professor and leading expert on the fine art of photogravure. These are basically photographs transferred to copper plates and printed as etchings. (It's, of course, more...

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July 4, 2023

s3e29 mokuhanga deep dive with artist April Vollmer

In Platemark s3e29, host Ann Shafer speaks with April Vollmer, an artist working in mokuhanga (Japanese color woodblock printing), who also wrote the indispensable guide to that form: Japanese Woodblock Print Workshop (Berkeley: Watson-Guptill...

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