Beaverton and the greater metropolitan area has an ambitious and thriving arts community. Top local artists leave their mark on this city by sharing their works with Grey Raven Gallery. Printmaking is an art form that makes it possible for our friends and neighbors, as well as people across the country and around the world to experience a taste of what we have here.
What Is Printmaking?
As you may have noticed, Barbara Mason, one of our founders, is a printmaker. Beyond teaching art, Barbara has years of experience in sharing the love of art in many ways. But before we discuss how printmaking allows more people to experience original art, let’s first talk about what it is.
Printmaking produces pictures or designs by printing them from specially prepared plates or blocks. The plate or block is called a matrix, and these are traditionally made of wood, metal or glass bearing an etching or imprint of the original artwork. The artist inks the matrix with various colors, then transfers the design to paper or fabric by pressing the matrix down. Note that more modern processes (like screen printing) do not require pressing.
How Printmaking Makes Original Art More Accessible
Printmaking makes original art more accessible by allowing artists to reproduce their work, giving more people access to the chosen design. Artists can sell their work, but will retain the original for future opportunities.
In printmaking, an artist can experiment to learn which style they prefer, and which type works best for their creative process. Essentially, artists can learn more about themselves through such experimentation, finding new ways to expand accessibility and connect with even more art lovers.
Printmaking provides the public with more opportunities to find new artists and learn about their work. It’s good for the art community and the community in general when more people engage with and develop an appreciation for art. And this is what Grey Raven is all about—developing art literacy and a love of art.
Printmaking makes it easy to give art as a perfect unique gift, and makes for an easier introduction to collecting art. Today, collecting art is growing among the younger generations, as artworks are pleasing to view and possess, and may also carry investment opportunities.
Printmaking is an old art with newer types and technologies that make it possible to share art with many people. Add a print from a Northwestern artist to your collection today.
Profits From Our Prints Support Artists & Free Kids’ Arts Classes
Visit Grey Raven Gallery in Beaverton for an exhibition or event, or to make an in-person print purchase to support free online art classes for children. View our gallery’s offerings or add to your print collection with an online purchase now.
