Mar 24 2008
Printmaking Process
While I enjoy other artists’ commercially produced prints, I felt a need to create my own prints. A good friend, King Kuka, helped me with the concept of where to begin in 1987 or 1988.
Through trial and error, I developed my own style of embossed paper. 
One plate inspires another. Some plates are very complicated images and textures while others appeal to me for their simplistic design and form.
Before long, I abandoned the brayer and ink and explored the craft of gold leafing. It took some researching to find information on this intensive medium but it was just what I had in mind.
Working with the delicate sheets take time and patience, both of which I’m not known for. The paper color is constant, and the mat colors constant, but the gold is never the same. Each book, each leaf is unique, never to be duplicated. The smallest line of gold can highlight the embossed image with drama and flair.
The images are always changing. A different color of paper, just one different mat, and the piece takes on it’s own attitude. From the idea to the framed piece, the image is all my effort and part of my soul.
Some editions are very limited while others range in paper size, edition size, and detail. The process is not simple nor is it spontaneous, but the end creation is well worth my energy.
Cool explanation of your process! This will help people see how much work it is!
Greetings Jackie–
I just bought one of your embossed prints at the Heard Fair yesterday (”Medicine Tracks” with what you described as ‘new mat colors’ you were inspired to use following a hotel visit somewhere). I love the piece and plan to hang it in my new Peoria, Arizona home as soon as I have it framed. I was prompted to look at your website and wanted to leave a comment for you.
We attended the Heard Fair for the first time last year while renting a home for the winter in Arizona. This year we actually decided to buy a second home so that we can spend as much time down here as we desire–and plan to host family members and friends who also want to get away from our cold, set Washington State winters.
I really love your art and plan to follow you. We bought a Heard membership yesterday so we can go back frequently. If you have (or plan to develop) a group email list for your fans, please include my email address.
Thanks,
Barbara K Burke