Printer Episodes

In this episode, host Ann Shafer sits down with Val Lucas, the artist and master printer behind Bowerbox Press. From her early shift from painting to printmaking at MICA to her current work casting custom metal type and ornaments, Val shares her journey through the tactile, meticulous world of letterpress. We dive into the technical evolution of the craft—balancing traditional handset type with modern polymer plates—and discuss the vibrant, tight-knit community of women preserving this historic ...

What happens when a rare book library is also a working machine shop? This week, Ann sits down with the formidable Amelia Hugill-Fontanel, Associate Curator at the Cary Graphic Arts Collection at RIT. Amelia isn't just a keeper of history; she’s a "press fixer" who maintains a fleet of functional 19th-century printing presses. We dive into the incredible legacy of Melbert B. Cary Jr., the intersection of historical type and 3D-printing innovation, and the inspiring rise of women in the tradition...

In this episode of Platemark, Ann sits down with Betty Winkler to explore her dual career as a master of carborundum collagraphy and a dedicated art therapist. They dive into her technical innovations—such as her preference for plexiglass plates—and discuss her book, which aims to demystify this tactile, non-toxic printmaking method. Betty shares how her background in the collaborative world of the print studio seamlessly informs her work in therapy, viewing both as powerful tools for communicat...

What is the "secret sauce" that gives a print its soul? In this episode, Ann sits down with Professor Stephen Hoskins to decode the complex chemistry and 500-year history of printmaking inks. From Old Master soot to the cutting edge of 3D-printed textures, we’re diving deep into the science, sustainability, and tactile future of our craft’s most foundational element. Stephen Hoskins’s website: https://stephenhoskins.com/ University of the West of England: https://cfpr.uwe.ac.uk/ CFPR Editions: h...

"It’s not just about the mechanics; it’s about the way the colors breathe together on the metal." — Mark Elliott 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 ...

In this episode of Platemark, Ann delves into the intricate world of prints and printmaking with master printer Robert Townsend. With over 55 years of experience, Bob shares his journey, techniques, and notable collaborations with artists like Peter Milton, Jim Dine, and Michael Mazur. They take a deep dive into plate wiping, steel facing, and other essential intaglio processes. Tune in to learn about the nuances of printing detailed etchings, and gain insights into the collaborative efforts tha...

In this episode of Platemark, Ann talks with Sue Oehme, owner of Oehme Graphics in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Sue shares her journey into printmaking, starting with her initial foray into lithography before discovering her love for etching. We talk about the unique process and intricate technique behind her renowned watercolor monotypes, including how different surfaces and types of paper influence the final artwork. We also talk about her collaborative approach and highlight her experience wi...

In this episode of Platemark, Ann speaks with Miranda Metcalf and Tim Pauszek about their new venture, Hello, Print Friend Studios in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Listeners will recall Miranda hosts our sister pod, Hello, Print Friend. In addition to the podcast, she also is producing documentaries about printmaking hotspots, beginning with Oaxaca and Puerto Rico (with more to come). Together, Miranda and master printer Tim have settled in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where they have founded a new printmaking...

In this episode of the Platemark, I interview Mike Stark, the co-founder and owner of Stark Press Company. The New Jersey-based company, run by Mike and his brother Tom, builds new presses, services old presses, and aids in moving them. They often collaborate with Perry Tymeson, a legendary press repairman. Mike shares insights into designing new presses, managing a small business, and balancing creative work. We talk about studying print media at SAIC in Chicago and establishing Stark Press. We...

In this episode of Platemark, I talk with Mae Shore, a collaborative printer and owner of Shore Publishing in Tuxedo Park, New York. Mae shares her experiences working at Pace Editions with notable artists like Jim Dine and Chuck Close. She discusses the history and evolution of her gallery and print shop, which she established to merge her love for printmaking and curating exhibitions. Mae touches upon specific projects, such as her collaborations with artists like Amy Bennett, Kamrooz Aram, an...

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 University, Bloomington, to founding Lily Press and creating impactful documentaries like Midwest Matrix. She highlights her educational experiences, mentors, and the vibrant printmaking community she's built over time. Goldman also delves into her persona...

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 printmaking. Bryan reveals his journey into art, inspired by comforting his sick grandmother with drawings, and his challenges in balancing his family’s immigrant expectations with his artistic aspirations. They delve deeply into his evolving art prac...

In this episode of Platemark, Jonathan Higgins discusses his journey as the owner and master printer of Manneken Press, established in 2000 in Bloomington, Illinois. We talk about his early life in Berkeley, California, his initial interest in art and ceramics, and his transition to printmaking. After exploring lithography and working for various artists and print workshops in New York, including at Galamander Press with Randy Hemminghaus, he eventually founded Manneken Press. Jonathan shares in...

In this episode Platemark, I talk with Leslie Diuguid, owner and founder of Do-Good Press in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. Leslie shares her journey as a screenprinter and discusses the intricacies of screenprinting, including processes, challenges, and the nuances of halftone and moiré patterns. We talk about how much math comes into the enterprise, especially about the relationship of mesh counts of screens and the frequency modulation of dot patterns. We explore Leslie's deep connection with her commun...

In this episode of Platemark, I interview Cole Rogers, a master printmaker who recently co-founded C&C Editions after his long tenure at Highpoint Center for Printmaking in Minneapolis. Cole talks about his journey into printmaking, his approach...

In this episode of Platemark, I talk with Judith Solodkin, a renowned master printer and founder of SOLO Impression. Judith shares her extensive experience, from being the first woman to graduate from the Tamarind Master Printer program to her unique work in digital embroidery. She reflects on her collaborations with notable artists like Louise Bourgeois and Sonya Clark, and her teaching role at various art institutions. We talk bout Judith’s passion for wearable art, specifically her creation o...

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, integrating into Slovenia's printmaking community, and ultimately relocating to Sydney, Australia, to establish her print atelier. We talk about the challenges of getting different materials and the cultural contrasts in the art scenes of America, Europe...

In s3e63 of Platemark, podcast host Ann Shafer talks with collaborative printer Peter Pettengill. Peter founded Wingate Studio in 1985 on his family’s dairy farm in Hinsdale, NH. Originally trained at Crown Point Press, Peter specializes in multi-plate color etchings. Now semi-retired, Peter’s son James has taken over the operating of the shop, though Peter lends a hand when requested. They talk about Peter's early experiences at Crown Point Press, his work with celebrated artists such as John ...

In s3e49, Platemark host Ann Shafer talks with Valpuri Remling, collaborative printer and manager of the pro workshop at Tamarind Institute, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, which was established in 1960 by the legendary June Wayne in order to preserve and promote the art of lithography. Valpuri, a native of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, graduated from the program in 2009. After working at Helsinki Litho with Matti Hintikka and Kalle Berg, Valpuri returned to Albuquerque in 2015 to assume ...

In episode s3e48, Platemark host Ann Shafer speaks with Deb Chaney, Tamarind-trained master printer specializing in lithography. She has an eponymous imprint, Deb Chaney Editions and has started a new venture with Stéphane Guilbaud—D&S Fine Art Editions—to whom she is fairly recently married. They have studios in Upstate New York (studio to be built), Paris, and LaForce, France. Ann and Deb talk about the beauty of litho stones, common problems that come with printing lithographs, why litho ink...

In s3e43, Platemark host Ann Shafer talks with Craig Zammiello, an artist and collaborative printer with over 40 years of experience in all areas of printmaking. He worked for 25 years at Universal Limited Art Editions, where he collaborated with numerous artists, including Jasper Johns, Elizabeth Murray, James Rosenquist, Kiki Smith, and Robert Rauschenberg. Currently, he is a collaborative printer at Two Palms working with Mel Bochner, Ellen Gallagher, Chris Offili, Elizabeth Peyton, and Dana ...

In s3e40, Platemark host Ann Shafer talks with Luther Davis, master printer and director of Powerhouse Arts, Brooklyn. This is a two-parter. For this interview, Platemark collaborated with its sister podcast Hello, Print Friend. Miranda Metcalf, Hello, Print Friend’s host and creator interviewed Luther about his background and early career; Ann Shafer spoke with Luther about the present and future at Powerhouse Arts, a new non-profit arts center in a renovated transit power station on the Gowanu...

In this bonus episode, Hello, Print Friend creator and guest host Miranda Metcalf talks with Luther Davis, master printer and director of Powerhouse Arts Print Shop, Brooklyn, about his background and early career. Powerhouse Arts is new player in the printing/publishing ecosystem and warrants extended conversation with its leader. This is a two-parter in which Miranda converses with Luther and then in another episode, Ann Shafer speaks with Luther about the present and future at Powerhouse Arts...

In this week's episode of Platemark (s3e38), host Ann Shafer talks with Jillian Ross, collaborative master printer and publisher with an eponymous imprint, Jillian Ross Print, in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. Ross returned to her native Saskatoon after many years in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she was the master printer at the David Krut Workshop (DKW) from 2003 to 2020. There, she worked with over 100 South African and international artists, most notably William Kentridge. Ross and pa...