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Platemark: prints and the printmaking ecosystem: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Ann Shafer, fine art prints evangelist, curator, and art historian
Why do fine art prints (etchings, woodcuts, lithographs, screenprints, etc.) and printmaking draw such fervent practitioners, collectors, and fans? Find out how prints were the first internet disseminating images since the mid-15th century. Find out why it takes a village to make, sell, study, and collect these affordable beauties. Who are all these people in the print ecosystem, anyway? Series one looks at prints and printmaking and how they fit in in the context of museums, the market, critiques, and the print ecosystem. Series two offers a history of prints and printmaking in the West. Series three offers interviews with the people who perform various roles in the print ecosystem. Platemark offers a bit of art history, artistic creativity, and introduces listeners to artists, printers, dealers, print publishers, gallerists, art historians, curators, and scholars. Host Ann Shafer is a curator specializing in prints and printmaking. Formerly she was a curator at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. She's a podcaster, blogger, and organizer of the Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair.
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- 1 weeks ago1h 12m
s3e108 casting metal type with Val Lucas
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 art form. Join us for a deep dive into the patience, machinery, and artistry required to keep the "magic of the press" alive in a digital age. IG: @bowerbox www.bowerbox.com Show me the images !!
- 2 weeks ago46 min
s2e38 History of Prints The Venetians (part three) the Tiepolos
In s2e38, Ann and Tru continue their History-of-Prints conversation about Venice in the 18th century. This is part three of three in which we talk about father and son, Giovanni Battista Tiepolo and Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo. Shift your gaze from the canals to the clouds as we explore the whimsical, light-filled world of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo. A master of the Rococo, Tiepolo brought a sense of effortless spontaneity to his etchings, moving his needle with the fluidity of a pen. We break down his transition into the world of "Scherzi di Fantasia," where mythical scenes and fantastical themes come to life with remarkable finesse. Unlike the rigid reproductions of the past, Tiepolo's prints offer a personal narrative and a direct line to his wildest fantasies, proving why he remains one of the most enchanting storytellers in the history of art. Show me the images !!
- 3 weeks ago1h 3m
s3e107 building an alternative art school with Nato Thompson
What happens when you trade a job at Kinko's for a career as one of the art world's most provocative curators? In this episode, Ann sits down with the legendary Nato Thompson to explore how he navigates the complex intersections of community, culture, and the "art ecosystem." They dive into his latest mission—The Alternative Art School—where he is dismantling the myth of the solitary genius and building a global, accessible sanctuary for creatives. From the rise and fall of NFT hype to the deeply collaborative parallels between his work and the printmaking community, Nato shares why lean-in community support is the ultimate fuel for any artistic journey. Join them for an energizing look at how to find your calling by embracing the "crazy" and connecting with the collective. IG: @NatoThompson, @thealternativeartschool www.thealternativeartschool.com
- May 12, 202639 min
s2e37 History of Prints The Venetians (part two) Canaletto
In s2e37, Ann and Tru continue their History-of-Prints conversation about Venice in the 18th century. This is part two of three in which we talk about Canaletto. While often remembered as a topographical painter of postcards, Canaletto was, in fact, a master of curated reality. In this segment, they examine how Canaletto transformed the ordinary streets and canals of Venice into grand, cinematic scenes. Whether using the camera obscura to manipulate perspective or painting en plein air, he captured the "Venetian Vibe" with a meticulous yet lively brush. We take a deep dive into his Capricci—imaginative visions and cityscapes that felt more like Venice than the city itself—and discuss how his work became the ultimate souvenir for travelers seeking to bottle the spirit of the floating city. Show me the images !!
- May 5, 20261h 6m
s3e106 wheatpasting and engraving with David Barthold
David Barthold's journey as a printmaker began at age 13, took him through the legendary studio of Atelier 17 in Paris, and eventually led to a hiatus that ended in a burst of lino-cut street art during the pandemic. In this episode, we explore the life and work of a native New Yorker who refuses to stay in one lane. We dig into his early start learning under Ruth Leaf as a teenager and honing his craft at Oberlin and in France; printmaking as protest and how the pandemic pushed David out of the studio and onto the streets of Park Slope, using wheat-pasted portraits of figures like RBG and George Floyd to engage his community; David's transition from painting back to the "grease and gears" of the print studio, and why he finds spontaneity in such a technical medium; and building the ecosystem understanding the vital role of community, shared spaces, and the mentors who keep the print world spinning. David's work is a masterclass in how a centuries-old medium can strike at the heart of contemporary culture. Follow David's street art and studio updates on Instagram: @DavidFBarthold Show me the images !!
- Apr 28, 202649 min
s2e36 History of Prints The Venetians (part one) Preamble
Step into the sun-drenched world of 18th-century Venice as we explore the "theatrical splendor" that defined an era. In this episode, Ann and resident expert Tru Ludwig dive into the vibrant Venetian art scene, where the city itself served as both a stage and a muse. We set the scene by discussing the transition from the heavy Baroque style to the airy, spontaneous Rococo and the rise of the "Grand Tour." Discover why 18th-century Venice wasn't just a destination, but a living, breathing entity where reality and imagination blurred through the medium of etching, catering to a new generation of connoisseurs seeking the direct, autographic hand of the artist. Show me the images !!
- Apr 21, 20261h 5m
S3e105 rare books meet heavy machinery with Amelia Hugill-Fontanel
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 traditionally "macho" world of iron hand presses. Whether you're a letterpress obsessive or a curious novice, Amelia's journey to curator and mechanic is a masterclass in keeping the history of the graphic arts alive and spinning. One print at a time. Show me the images !! https://www.rit.edu/carycollection/ @ameliafont1 @ritcarycollection Cover image: Jiageng Lin
- Apr 7, 20261h 2m
s3e104 carborundum collagraphy with Betty Winkler
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 communication and healing. From the grit of the carborundum to the deep emotional layers of trauma therapy, Betty's journey is a testament to the idea that creativity is a fundamental human trait. Whether you are a seasoned printmaker or curious about the intersection of art and psychology, this interview offers a fascinating look at a life dedicated to the plate and the person. www.bettywinkler.com www.yamaprints.net Find out more about EMDR therapy here: https://parnellemdr.com Show me the images!!
About Platemark: prints and the printmaking ecosystem
Why do fine art prints (etchings, woodcuts, lithographs, screenprints, etc.) and printmaking draw such fervent practitioners, collectors, and fans? Find out how prints were the first internet disseminating images since the mid-15th century. Find out why it takes a village to make, sell, study, and collect these affordable beauties. Who are all these people in the print ecosystem, anyway? Series one looks at prints and printmaking and how they fit in in the context of museums, the market, critiques, and the print ecosystem. Series two offers a history of prints and printmaking in the West. Series three offers interviews with the people who perform various roles in the print ecosystem. Platemark offers a bit of art history, artistic creativity, and introduces listeners to artists, printers, dealers, print publishers, gallerists, art historians, curators, and scholars. Host Ann Shafer is a curator specializing in prints and printmaking. Formerly she was a curator at the Baltimore Museum of Art and the National Gallery of Art. She's a podcaster, blogger, and organizer of the Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair.
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