Jessica Phrogus is a fairly experienced artist. She is a graduate in Fine Arts from California Statee University, Hayward, CA and a Master in Fine Arts from California College of Art, Oakland, CA with additional studies taken in UC Berkely, Mills College and Berkely City College, USA. She has also had her own individual exhibitions in the States.
During her two-week stay in January for the workshop-residency, she learnt how to work with electro-etching. She had come equipped with copper plates that she had previously laser-cut with Classical Greek urns and other motifs from Greek mythology etched out with copper chloride. She practised on these plates with the different ways that the electro-etching technique affords for tonal areas: open bite for electrotint, reserves with lithographic pencil, electrotint with lift ground, with graphite ink resist and semi-dry electro-etching. She also added new line drawings to some of the plates using electro-etching.
She deserves my most heartfelt congratulations for following through her personal dream of working with non-toxic media and her courage for having come so far, from California to Gran Canaria Island, to learn these techniques that are healthier for the artists and more environmentally-friendly than other etching processes.
Pictures from the workshop
Jessica Phrogus speaks about her experience in the workshop-residency
I completed the introductory class in electro etching with not much idea of what to expect. Many people use the buzz words non- toxic today, but I was delighted to find that, yes indeed, there is a method printing which gives much more consistent results and is nontoxic, at this workshop. Alfonso knowledge is thorough and is laid out systematically in a concise book for future reference. English is easily spoken in residency
I have labored 52 years with different, process intensive methods of getting an intaglio plate to achieve my image idea. Well, this is really a great method which I foresee schools switching over to, if for nothing to achieve compliance with health standards in schools along with a consistent etch result, even for non technical people...like me.
The print studio is spacious, plenty of room and supplies are generously available...as well as Alfonso giving great attention to supporting with learning a new technique and not making many mistakes. There is 24 hour studio access as studio is next to apartment which is nice and modern with a kitchen with most of supplies, a shower and laundry available as well as stunning views of the giant unceasing Atlantic and lots of tropical vegetation as well as rides to store when asked.
The Canary Island have caves and mountains and a moderate climate, many bicyclists come here to train. I'd be glad to talk to anyone who has questions from someone who's been through the class, it's set up for two weeks, depending. Jessica USA 510-843-2240 leave a message please if I don't answer! I'd say well worth the trip to take the trip and mix art, fun and vacation.
Jessica Phrogus's electro-etchings
