“I mainly do a lot of printmaking and drawing. I do some mixed media pieces. I like to combine different forms of printmaking. For a long time, I only did figurative work. In the last year or two, I’ve gotten much more into abstract work, and that is in part because of learning more about letterpress printing. I also really don’t like to waste anything, and with printmaking you often pull multiple prints before you get the effect that you want. You’re troubleshooting. I like to save those test prints and make things out of them. I make a lot of paper weavings because I don’t want to throw anything away, so that’s something that has emerged out of that.
I have a new studio space between Art House and the bookstore off of that parking lot. I am hoping to make it into a communal print studio. I hesitate to use the word guild because at this moment people are a little hesitant to be in community spaces, shared spaces. But long term, I do want it to be a space where community members can come and use the equipment I have.
A year and a half ago, I got a Little Big Idea grant and I did an event that was a Pirate Print Day. I helped facilitate relief printing using maintenance hole covers around town. Honestly, that’s what really got me excited about starting a community print studio. I am finding more and more that I love that beginning stage of introducing someone to printmaking, getting someone started. Like, ‘What can I do to hook you in here?’ I think that a couple of years ago, I would have said something completely different. But the more I’m involved in the Goshen community and the more I meet people and see how supportive the community is, I love that.
Starting this community studio, I have probably too many ideas for possibilities of what to do. However, something I’m really interested about is getting area artists to come and do a workshop at the studio. And not necessarily just printmakers, but people who do painting and drawing – how that could tie in with using a press, etc.
Initially, I went to Goshen College and stayed here for a little bit after graduating and then moved away. I moved back here because my now spouse lives here and loves Goshen. I also love Goshen. I think part of the reason why I stuck around is because it is a small enough town that it feels much less intimidating to meet people and make connections and do collaborations. I have loved doing collaborations with other artists here. There are a lot of ceramicists in the area, and I’ve done some collaborations with Sadie Misiuk. That has been so fun. I love those details of how you collaborate across mediums, how you connect in that way.”
