Highpoint Editions artist Todd Norsten will be visiting the Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Todd Norsten @ Federica Schiavo Gallery
FORMAT by Sarah Crowner
"Julie Mehretu Paints to Make Sense of a Violent, Chaotic World"
Tales from the Co-op: Jeremy Piller
A few trees (U of M Arboretum), screenprint
I have always been drawn to screenprinting. Creating an edition has always been appealing to me, as I want to create beautiful art that many people can enjoy. With this technique, there is a direct correlation between making the stencil and the finished print. Make a mark, print, repeat, and eventually (hopefully) you will have executed what you imagined in your mind.
Recently, I’ve been working on a series of landscapes. I’ve been learning how to put years of painting skills into service by painting the imagery I use to make my screens. Starting with basic blocks of color, I build from there, adding layers of marks and reacting to each previous color. The image develops organically with each run through the press. It’s not exactly an efficient way to produce a print, but I love the process of rendering, color by color, that vision onto paper.
Highpoint is a great place for me to work. The facilities and equipment are excellent and the community is wonderful. While waiting for a screen to dry, I find inspiration in the gallery or discuss techniques and motivations with the other members. As a result, I’ve found myself more focused and encouraged to continue printing.
Tales from the Co-op: Lynnette Black
Wood Nymph, intaglio with relief and stencils
A native Minnesotan, I fell in love with intaglio printmaking while studying under Leo Lasansky at Hamline University and his father, Mauricio Lasansky at the University of Iowa. Although it was challenging, I maintained my art practice (painting, drawing, collage) while pursuing a medical device marketing career and raising a family. For support I was a long-term member of Women’s Caucus for Art and WARM (Women’s Art Resources).
It was always my dream be a coop-member of Highpoint Center for Printmaking - I went to many free ink days through the years. After a long absence I returned to intaglio printmaking because of the detail and richness you can achieve. To get started I took a one-week intensive at Highpoint with master printer Gregory Burnet. Highpoint is a great place to learn; from other coop members, watching the professional shop work, getting technical advice from staff and the educational programs they offer. To deepen and broaden my skills, I have taken several workshops and had a solo exhibition in the Threshold Gallery, a valuable resource offered to co-op members. Recently, my piece Wood Nymph (pictured) was recently accepted into the Stand Out Prints International Exhibition.
In my work I strive to make a psychological, emotional impact and use multiple techniques for a complex and layered affect. The space at Highpoint, the organization and equipment is world class. It is a joy to “come to work”.
