Martin Puryear – PBS Art 21
- Revisted etching technique from his highschool years.
- Trying to make work about the ideas of his sculptures rather than making images of his sculptures. He uses printmaking to communicate ideas about other works of art.
- Printmaking vs. Sculpting - 2D vs. 3D ; “Prints are more direct” ; Prints provide a greater ability to work freely ; Printmaking is a faster process than sculpting and it has a higher potential for spontaneity in the making process.
- Printmaking allows for a lot of proofs. The artist can know exactly how a piece looks and what needs to be changed (without having to guess how to improve the work).
- Doing multiple proofs is a way to document change and work throughout the making process.
- Shes uses a process she calls the “ Aqua Tint Technique” which is a slow process that adds texture while simultaneously erasing previous work . This technique has the risk of the plate becoming overworked (aspects/details are lost to erasure). The artist is forced to decide when to leave the piece as is, and call it finished to avoid overworking it.