James Ehlers of Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas was in New Orleans for a few days and I was invited to attend his print engraving demonstration at Mystic Blue Signs on Magazine Street. Eve Rutlege, owner of Mystic Blue, is a fine hand engraver and lettering arts instructor, not to mention old school sign painter, so her interesting shop was the perfect place to host this event.
James started by showing us his personal collection of engraved prints, then took us through graver prep, engraving on plates, and finally the printing process. It was fascinating to watch! He has more demos to conduct at Tulane and Loyola universities while he's here in New Orleans. Go James! It's great to see you spreading the word on this fascinating art form :clapping:
Mystic Blue shop...what a cool place!
Eve Rutledge manning the press.
Fresh off the press.
Inked plate.
Wiping off after inking.
James arches his left hand for protection in the event of a slip.
Practicing correct graver grip.
Thumbnail test for graver sharpness.
Nancy Sharon Collins engraving a copper plate.
James started by showing us his personal collection of engraved prints, then took us through graver prep, engraving on plates, and finally the printing process. It was fascinating to watch! He has more demos to conduct at Tulane and Loyola universities while he's here in New Orleans. Go James! It's great to see you spreading the word on this fascinating art form :clapping:
Mystic Blue shop...what a cool place!
Eve Rutledge manning the press.
Fresh off the press.
Inked plate.
Wiping off after inking.
James arches his left hand for protection in the event of a slip.
Practicing correct graver grip.
Thumbnail test for graver sharpness.
Nancy Sharon Collins engraving a copper plate.