After selling my monotypes at the last art show, I had to get back to work. I have been watching an interesting leave pattern. I knew it would soon be mowed down so I didn’t feel bad gathering it up. I did learn it is important to take these plants right back to the studio. They wilted before the session began.
My press is a French Tool press. For years I worked as a printmaker for other printmakers and artists. In those days, I worked nine to ten hours days, so my press has a motor to turn the gears. After getting out my Daniel Smith water based inks, I move the gears up to pull up the roller. I don’t need a lot of pressure when pulling monotypes as I do when I pull an etching. I ink the Plexiglas and the session begins. As I have said before, it is a kinetic process. I begin with an idea of what I want and work toward that idea.
My press is a French Tool press. For years I worked as a printmaker for other printmakers and artists. In those days, I worked nine to ten hours days, so my press has a motor to turn the gears. After getting out my Daniel Smith water based inks, I move the gears up to pull up the roller. I don’t need a lot of pressure when pulling monotypes as I do when I pull an etching. I ink the Plexiglas and the session begins. As I have said before, it is a kinetic process. I begin with an idea of what I want and work toward that idea.
Here is an idea of what the process looks like.
Here is the plate ready for the first pull. I soak rag paper and blot it and place on this plate.
Here is my press doing its job. 
The rag paper goes thru the press under pressure. It needs special blankets. I also put newsprint between the paper and the blankets.
See the embossing! I love the idea of part of nature captured in the monotype.
This is a few of the monotypes that came out of the studio time. Now there are other steps. But today it was a good session.
