In this episode of Platemark, Shraddha Ramani and William Villalongo discuss their monumental project Printing Black America: Du Bois’s Data Portraits in the 21st Century, which is being published in fall 2025. This modern update of W.E.B. Du Bois's data visualizations from 1900, which was created in response to the George Floyd protests, focuses on the lives of Black Americans today, incorporating contemporary data and research. The project includes 30 prints produced by six major printshops across the U.S., aiming to reflect the geographic and demographic shifts of Black populations since Du Bois's time. We talk about the project’s historical context, some of the challenges they’ve faced, their personal experiences, and the significance of printmaking in preserving cultural history. We also talk about its debut in an exhibition at the Print Center in New York and the broader implications of the project for future generations.

IG @wvillalongohttps://villalongostudio.com/ https://www.printcenternewyork.org/data-consciousness Project abstract

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In this episode of Platemark, Ann talks with artist and educator Nick Ruth to discuss his multifaceted approach to art. Nick, who lives in Rochester and teaches at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, shares insights into his work across various media, including painting, drawing, and printmaking. They talk about his creative process, particularly his use of monoprints as a space for experimentation and growth. They talk about his inspirations, such as the bizarre charm of cell towers and the intriguing backs of road signs, and how these elements serve as metaphors for human communication. They also discuss the evolution of his work over time and explore broader themes of art education, the impact of technology on human connection, and the artist's role in society.

Get in touch with Nick here:

https://www.nicholashruth.com/

IG @nicholashruth

FB https://www.facebook.com/nick.ruth.58

Listen to Nick on Hello, Print Friend (June 22, 2022) https://helloprintfriend.com/episode-145-nick-ruth

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In this episode of Platemark, Dr. Quahana Hendree, owner of Q Hendree Art Consulting in St. Louis, Missouri, shares her unique journey as an art consultant. Despite not being directly involved in the printmaking scene, Dr. Hendree brings a wealth of knowledge about art and its importance in various settings including corporate, commercial, and government spaces. She discusses the multifaceted role of an art consultant, detailing how she helps businesses curate collections that reflect their identity and values, manages existing collections, and advocates for the intrinsic value of art. The conversation also delves into her background as a theologian and how this intersects with her love for art. Dr. Hendree shares insights on the therapeutic and community-building power of art, the challenges of integrating art into corporate spaces, and the importance of preserving and appreciating art in both personal and professional contexts.

LINKS

https://qhendreeartconsulting.com/

 IG @q_hendree_art_consulting

In Platemark's history of prints series, Ann Shafer and Tru Ludwig present a second installment of their ONE PRINT series, this time on Peter Milton's The Train from Munich, 1991. In this episode, Ann and Tru take a single work considered to be a high point in the history of prints, and pull it apart to explore its subject matter, technique, style, and composition. It's a deep, deep dive into a single work--what a luxury.

All images of Peter’s art are © 2025 Peter Milton / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York.

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In this episode Ann talks with Margaret Morgan Grasselli and Elizabeth Savage about their new, massive book, Printing Colour 1700–1830: Histories, Techniques, Functions, and Receptions (Oxford: Oxford University Press and the British Academy, 2025). The book, coming in at nearly 450 pages with 350 illustrations, is a landmark study blowing open a new field of study in print history. It offers a deep dive into a rich period of invention, experimentation, and creativity surrounding color printing in Europe between two critically important developments: four-color separation printing around 1710, and chromolithography around 1830.

In their conversation, they talk about various aspects of color printing as it applies to both fine art and utilitarian goods like security printing for paper notes, advertisements, fashion, and household goods. They talk about the historical significance and technical details of color printing, the role of women in the field, and the socio-political influences of that era. And they talk about managing such a huge project and the importance of this work as a foundational study that opens up new avenues for future research.

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In this episode of Platemark, Ann speaks with Miranda Metcalf and Tim Pauszek about their new venture, Hello, Print Friend Studios in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Listeners will recall Miranda hosts our sister pod, Hello, Print Friend. In addition to the podcast, she also is producing documentaries about printmaking hotspots, beginning with Oaxaca and Puerto Rico (with more to come). Together, Miranda and master printer Tim have settled in Chiang Mai, Thailand, where they have founded a new printmaking studio. They talk about the challenges and joys of setting up a printmaking residency and studio in their adopted city while giving credit to their friend, artist Kitikong Tilokwattanotai and to the local community for supporting the new studio. They talk about the welcoming nature of the Thai people, the rich art and culture to be found in Chiang Mai (particularly among its 12 printmaking studios), and the unique opportunities for artists in their residency program. Miranda and Tim also expand on their future plans for the studio and invite artists and enthusiasts to join them in Chiang Mai.

Follow Miranda and Tim here: 

helloprintfriend.com

@helloprintfriend

@mirandakielland

@timpauszek_studio

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In this episode of Platemark, Deb Puretz, an IT professional and artist, discusses her journey into the art world and navigating it as an outlier. Deb, originally from California and now based in South Carolina, shares her experiences of making connections, leveraging business skills, and adapting to new technologies in art. She talks about her early career in Hong Kong, the pivotal moments in her art practice, and working with semiconductors to create unique prints. Deb emphasizes the importance of connections, perseverance, and aiding fellow artists. She also touches on the evolving landscape of computer technology's impact on art. Throughout the discussion, Deb highlights key moments and influential people in her career while offering advice on maintaining motivation and seeking opportunities.

Get in touch with Deb here: www.purepuretz.com. Also, Jennifer Roberts’ talk about circuitry in prints is here: https://www.youtube.com/@yaleartgallery/videos.

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In this episode of Platemark, Ann talks with artist and teacher Jonathan Thomas who shares insights from his time at the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), the printmaking program he chairs, and his personal studio in Baltimore. We take a deep dive into his exploration of printing in plaster, detailing the technical process, historical context, and the challenges it presents compared to traditional intaglio printmaking. We talk about his shift from multi-plate color works to black and white, emphasizing the joy and struggle of achieving precise visual results. We talk about his thematic focus on narrative imagery, spirit companions, and the emotional nuances of life and death. We also talk about his educational approach, the critical role of experiential learning, and the impact of collaborative projects like those facilitated by MICA’s Dolphin Press. The conversation concludes with insights into the critique process in art education, emphasizing the balance between constructive feedback and understanding the student's sensitivity.

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 In this episode of Platemark, Ann sits down with the legendary artist and printmaker Dan Welden. The artist is known for his pioneering work in solarplate etching, a revolutionary, chemical-free printmaking process. Welden recounts his experiences and collaborations with significant artists like Eric Fischl and Elaine and Willem de Kooning. He also delves into his personal creative struggles, preferences for classical music, and tales of his distinctive handmade house filled with artist tiles and unique craftsmanship. The episode is a compelling insight into Welden's artistic journey and contributions to the printmaking world.

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In this episode of Platemark, I talk with Ellen Heck about her artistic journey and work. We talk about the intricacies of printmaking techniques, Ellen's various portrait series, and the conceptual ideas behind her work. Ellen shares her journey from studying philosophy at Brown, to printmaking at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and finally working at the Kala Art Institute in Berkeley. They also explore topics like the influence of Mary Cassatt, the use of color wheels in organizing compositions, and Ellen's fascination with topology in her artwork. Our insightful conversation about the roles within the art ecosystem concludes with the philosophical underpinnings of Ellen's creative process.

Starting with this episode, the images are moving to a blog post (it's a long story). Link to the images is below.

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