Printmaking Idea(s)

I signed up for the Open Press Print Exchange #2 (2023).  Their 2022 exhibit during the Southwest Print Fiesta in Silver City was very impressive this year:

OPEN PRESS PRINT EXCHANGE #1

in Silver City, New Mexico --

was the only one of five 2022 exhibitions

in the United States

Paper size is on only 2.75 inches (7x7 cm) as the edition of 10 has to be printed on their 3D Printed Printing Press.

My idea is to go full on 21st CENTURY.  I'm inspired to create and image with online AI (artificial intelligence) Art programs, and etch it on to a metal plate with a laser engraver.  Then I would make small intaglio prints for the Open Press Print Exchange.

Perhaps I could engrave directly into metal using a fiber laser engraver.  I noticed that the cheapest one was about $1500 on Amazon -- ATOMSTACK M4 Fiber Laser Engraver (but the YouTube review did not recommend this model).  Perhaps ordering from Ponoko would be better to get something laser engraved into metal.

Perhaps I can use my LaserPecker 2 engraver to mark on anodized aluminum business cards, and then try etching those business cards with gallium.

Handheld laser engraver --

LaserPecker 2

-- or I could try etching the aluminum business card with salt and vinegar.

Another idea might be to draw directly onto the anodized business card with a gallium pencil, scratching off the black coating which would also expose the aluminum underneath with gallium.  This might be the quick and easy way to do some gallium etching for printmaking.

• We've already created fake LINOCUT images with AI, and then laser engraved those images into real linoleum.  They made decent linocut relief prints.

• We used expanded PVC foam to make prints in Henry Morales' studio, by digging into the foam with a ball point pen.

• Leon Loughridge seems to be using the Japanese printmaking method to make colorful prints.   We need to try the Mokuhanga method. 

• We are showing 8x8 inch prints at Remarque Print Workshop in Albuquerque in December 2022 and January 2023.  Our Bucket Prints are piggybacking on their 10th Annual International Print Exhbition, which is appropriate since half of our prints are from Mexico....and the other half are from Remarque artists, plus a few to fill out the row.

• Also the University of Arizona Art Museum is going to exhibit our Desert Triangle Print Carpeta  next year, from May 27th to December 23rd, 2023, with a reception in October.

Packing the prints to send them to Germany by February 1st.

UPDATE (Dec 7):  At Quelab I learned/did:

• Astrobox for wireless 3D printing

• Laser engraving the coating off an aluminum business card:

The LaserPecker 2

"engraved" nicely

The paint burnt off

the aluminum business card

1.94 x 1.8 inches

2 passes, a minute each --

power 100%, depth 3%

Now we just have to "etch" the aluminum card -- with gallium, or vinegar and salt

UPDATE:  I printed a fake AI drawing based on my style, and submitted it to the Open Print Exchange #2:

I laser engraved this AI image into linoleum

and printed it on the small

3D printed printing press

I submitted a 7x7 cm print

to the Open Print Exchange #2