Rust Monoprinting
Rust monoprinting was an accidental discovery. I had left a cardboard box on an outdoor welding table and in several weeks rain and humidity had rusted the steel table's surface creating a natural speckled pattern on the bottom of the box. The pattern was unusual (and beautiful to me) and I enjoyed the yellow ochres, oranges, burnt sienna's and raw umber's created from the oxidization of the steel on the paper. I formalized the process by using left over print paper from a former printmaking class. I placed the paper on the plate and soaked it with a hose. Then I put plastic over the paper to keep it wet and used a towel for a blanket to create an even distribution of the weight. The red neck aspect is the simple mechanics of placing a heavy stone block or steel plate on the set up to create contact between the paper and the steel plate. There are no moving parts in the press just physical labor when I assemble and break it down after 4-6 weeks.
Types of Rust Prints
Since the inception two years ago I now have several types of rust print strategies. The first is the simple steel plate print. Secondly, I develop a composition using rusting steel plates and objects, third, I have altered prints with paint media and forth torn strips of rust prints reassembled into collage and sometimes painted and altered. New experimental techniques are using steel powder, retrieved from grinding steel at the Metal Sculpture class I teach at the Art League in Alexandria, as a medium for pigment.
Show at the Studio Gallery in Dupont Circle
Examples of the rust prints can be seen at the Studio Gallery, 2108 R St. NW, Washington DC 20008 from September 1st-25th, 2010. There are two receptions Tonight Sept. 3rd from 6-8 PM (also part of Dupont Circle's First Friday Galleries) and an Artist Reception Saturday Sept. 11th from 4-6 PM.
More info at http://www.studiogallerydc.com/
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