Pete’s Prints
I’m excited to present “Pete’s Prints” at Maker Faire Milwaukee 2024! I’ve dabbled in printmaking on and off over the past few decades but I lost access to a nice printing press four years ago. Then in 2023 I got a Provisional Press (a DIY printing press that comes as a kit you have to build) and it renewed my love of printmaking. Nice paper can be expensive so I decided to make my own using scraps, old mail, medical bills… I now recycle at home and the end result is usable paper I can print on. Since I’m also a 3D printing nerd I designed and printed my own mould & deckle (the device used to make paper) and rather than carve wood or linoleum to create my printing plates I 3D print them.
When I describe the process I sometimes say I 3D print things that help me make 2D prints. Digital fabrication is amazing, and I’ve been interested in how it can be used along with traditional art making practices for more than a decade. I’ve shared a number of blog posts about my process and I’m happy to finally be able to share it in person with others (and show off my work) at Maker Faire.
Because using digital fabrication to speed up the process of making plates allows me more time to actually print, I tend to make a lot of prints. Rather than just allow them to pile up in my studio I’ll have a number of them for sale at the Faire. Each one is hand printed on handmade paper. Come check it out and I’ll do my best to answer any questions!
