Photogravure Artists Talk at Brookover Gallery

Over 40 people gathered for the photogravure talk at Brookover Gallery in Jackson

Over 40 people gathered for the photogravure talk by Jon Lybrook at Brookover Gallery in Jackson

Over 40 people gathered at the Brookover Gallery in Jackson, Wyoming this week to learn about modern techniques for producing handmade photogravure prints. Jon Lybrook of Intaglio Editions has printed nine editions for David Brookover so far with more scheduled for release in the summer. This spring David is going on an excursion to Iceland and Europe for over two months to travel and capture more amazing images of the natural world.

david-and-ascentionDavid has been photographing the great outdoors for over 40 years gaining an international reputation for technical and artistic excellence as a large format photographer using an 8×10″ view camera.  In recent years, he has moved to digital and has begun publishing his prints as photogravures on handmade Japanese gampi as well as heavier western papers from Italy and Germany.

Printmaker Jon Lybrook and Photographer David Brookover

Printmaker Jon Lybrook and Photographer David Brookover – February 17, 2014

Historically the collaboration between photogravure artists and the printmaker has been based on a tremendous amount of trust and goodwill. The artist must trust that the printmaker will make the correct technical decisions and the printmaker must trust the artist will make the best aesthetic decisions. The lines between what is technical and what is aesthetic are often blurred and so, sometimes the roles of artist and technician are reversed.

The talk was sponsored by the Teton Photography Group of Jackson and covered a brief technical explanation of the polymer photogravure plate and printmaking process followed by a show-and-tell of materials, papers, and techniques for printmaking.  Examples of chine colle, the technique of applying fine, colored papers onto a handmade print were shown as well as descriptions of how a typical intaglio plate is inked and printed on a press using dampened, fine art paper.  Jon Lybrook also showed examples of his own printed work, both photographic and non-figurative and those of other photogravure artists he has worked with.

Thermal Glide (2014)

Thermal Glide (2014) by David Brookover printed on handmade Japanese Gampi paper

Raw Gampi and Kozo

Gampi and Kozo, shown here in their raw forms are extremely tough fiber from which some of the best handmade asian papers are made.

 

Last standing from among the 40 people who atteneded the photogravure discussion.

David’s Gallery Assistant Katherine Cronin (far left) and other hard-core art and photography enthusiasts from the Teton Photography Group remain after the talk – February 17, 2014.

The Brookover Gallery

The Brookover Gallery in Jackson Wyoming is located at 125 North Cache Street, Jackson Wyoming and may be reached at 307-732-3988.  Call for hours and directions.

 

 

 

 

Abstract Paintings by Homare Ikeda at Lone Tree Arts Center thru November 10, 2013

"Jade" by Homare Ikeda

“Jade” by Homare Ikeda

A wide range of brilliant and colorful, abstract paintings by Denver artist Homare Ikeda is on display at the Lone Tree Art Center in South Denver through November 10, 2013.  “Lines in Space” is the second in a series of “Commissioners Choice” exhibits at the arts center.

Huge paintings fill the main lobby while more intimate and detailed works on paper and canvas line the administration areas of the building.  Ikeda is prolific, and the 30 plus pieces provide an robust sampling of his more recent work represented by the William Havu gallery in Denver.

Broad brush strokes juxtaposed with immaculate detail, a variety of imaginative textures, repeating marks, and thoughtful color combinations provide the foundation for much of the work. He has once said much of his inspiration comes from the idea of being witness to the earliest beginnings of life.  Microscopic forms such as paramecium and protozoan shaped figures are often a recurring theme in his work.

From his artist statement:

To me, painting has become a vehicle to travel in and out of the world of unknown. A blob of paints is daubed, scratched, scraped and painted one layer upon another. The thickly painted surface is the reminiscent of my journey into the heart of sea where all my reflections of life are imbued. The sea is the genesis of the original form of life. I begin my painting with a simple vision. The first stages are usually kept fluid and open. As the painting progresses, I keep adding or scraping the layers of paints. I see them as the metaphor of life. At a certain point in this process, the painting starts to take over my control.

Homare Ikeda was born on the island of Yoron, near Okinawa, Japan. He has lived, studied, and taught in the United States since 1978. He and his wife Mamiko Ikeda both currently teach at the Art Students League of Denver.

For further information on the exhibit, which runs until November 10, contact Lone Tree Arts Center at 720-509-1000 or visit www.LoneTreeArtsCenter.org

The lobby hours are 10am-4pm Monday through Friday and before and during scheduled performances.  Artwork is for sale by inquiring at the box office.