Sisters artist teaches students printing

During the past week, students have been abuzz working on art in Sisters High School's Advanced Art class. While this is not an unusual scene, the appearance of a small table press, vivid pigmented inks, brayers, and plexiglass plates has created a unique learning opportunity for art students.

Pam Bird, an established artist from Sisters, has spent the last two years exploring new printmaking techniques and last week introduced the process to advanced art students over the course of the week-long classroom seminar.

Bird says that "the monotype process can be very painterly as artists layer ink onto a plexiglass plate with brayers and brushes and then transfer the inked surface on to paper by running the plate and paper through a printing press. Through a process of layering, the surface of the print may be built up, developing a richness of color and texture."

By using various combinations of paints and layers, students were able to create prints that resembled paintings, but with added depth and color transfer specific to the printing process.

The objectives of the week-long seminar were to encourage working out design ideas and explore color combinations in a smaller format before committing those ideas to a larger canvas.

"It's a good vehicle for painters to get their ideas out and explore," said Bird.

Bird explained that the goal for students for the week was to create four pieces that related to and expanded upon each other. She also encouraged students to work on the focus of the pieces.

The learning during the week was not just confined to the classroom, however. The class took a field trip to visit Bend printmaking studio Atelier 6000. Established by Pat Clark, the workshop is membership-based and houses a contemporary gallery that is open to the public. Students were given a tour of the facility and a demonstration of the printing process by Clark.

A win-win situation, is how art department head Mike Baynes describes the week with Bird.

"It brought in new energy and perspective, and was really fun and positive," said Baynes.

For senior Hannah Boles, it was a valuable experience.

"I've fallen in love with it! It's opened up new techniques for me and made me think about my color choices, something that will be useful for future pieces," she said.

Junior Jenna Jacobsen agreed.

"This has made me a better painter, and I see how painting can be balanced and still have variety."