Danae Lukis
About the artwork
Collagraphs are created using a printmaking technique that combines oil painting with etching. First, a relief is created on heavy illustration board. Fabric, paste, and other textures are added to or cut away from the board. After the board is sealed, I create an oil painting on top of all the textures. I lay a heavy, dampened printmaking paper over the oil painting and run both the paper and plate through an etching press. The extreme pressure transfers the oil painting to the paper an embosses the image with the textures that were built up on the plate. I clean the plate, then rub a dark etching ink into the textures and relief. I lightly rub the ink off the surface of the plate, leaving some ink in the cracks and textures. I then lay the same paper (with the oil painting on it) over the inked plate and run in through the press again. The press pushes the ink into the oil paints in the form of the textures on the plate, adding depth to the painting. Every collagraph is therefore hand-pulled, hand-painted, and printed twice.
Every pring I create is unique and original, akin to an oil painting. Since my collagraphs involve creating an oil painting that is pressed into the paper via an etching press, there will only be one print made from each painting. Therefore, each print is labeled unique to indicate that there is no other identical print.
Paper and mat board used is 100% rag, meaning it is made from cotton fibers and will not yellow or fade. The inks and paints are oil-based and will therefore withstand water damage. Any frame with the artwork is assembled by hand and outfitted with a non-glare glass, perfect for home or office.
Contact:
danukis@unicron.com
Copyright © 2006 Danae Lukis