Artwork by Lorraine Whelan . . .

Printmaking by Lorraine Whelan

While I had some training in printmaking while in art school, I was never much interested in the various processes until the last decade. It was while giving woodblock demonstrations at IMMA as part of an MA group group project that my interest in printmaking took flight. For several years I had access to a portable press and explored the process of linoprinting. By attending Trinity Art Workshops, I reacquainted myself with etching processes and also found out about carborundum.

During the pandemic I took several online monoprinting courses, from both the Graphic Studio Dublin and Dún Laoghaire arts office. In both cases the materials were sent out to me and I used the kitchen as my workspace. I had also taken an online silk fibre "paper" making course after which I knew I wanted to make more of this material to print on.

I have also converted pasta machine and adjusted it to be a horizontal, portable, press that I can easily install in my studio space. Images created for intaglio and blind-embossed prints for this press are limited in size and have worked for specific book art pieces. I also enjoy creating prints in more direct media, such as lino and woodblock, which do not require a press and are less limited in size. When it arises, I take the opportunity to work larger and explore other print media through various printmaking facilities workshops (such as those offered at The Print Museum and Blackchurch Print Studios, both in Dublin).

In 2022, through a workshop held in Clones Art Studios, I was introduced to the mokuhanga technique, that is, Japanese woodblock printmaking, which is a more eco-friendly technique as inks are a mix of rice paste (nori) and watercolour paint.