Josh Weiss was born in 2001 in Los Angeles, California, and is the youngest artist to have taken part in our residency. His stay was made possible through the support program that, for the past eight years, has offered opportunities to two artists under the age of thirty. In 2024, he graduated in Art and Design from the Stamps School of Art and Disign at the University of Michigan (USA).
As he himself says, what he enjoys most about printmaking is the process itself—and his practice makes that clear. He eagerly explores the many possibilities of electrolytic printmaking, unfazed by the mistakes that can arise, whether from issues with resists or the surprises that occur when a process has not been carried out perfectly.
During these fifteen days, he has worked on copper plates, experimenting with various techniques: line drawing with hard ground, open-bite electro-etching, as well as alternative and versatile resists such as graphite ink and BIG (Baldwin’s Ink Ground).
In our workshop we use a large vertical tank that allows artists to work on plates of significant size, or on several smaller plates simultaneously. At the same time, we also gave him the chance to etch zinc plates in a flat tank—an option easier to obtain than vertical ones, although in our case we often build them from recycled containers. The flat tank makes the process more accessible, while also requiring less electrolyte.
We trust that, with the knowledge and skills he has gained here, Josh Weis will in the future be able to install an electrolytic etching unit in his own studio, and continue creating and sharing these alternative approaches to traditional printmaking.
Josh set off with the intention of visiting several European countries and will return to the U.S. in October. During his time in Madrid, he visited the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, where there is currently a major exhibition of the painter from Gran Canaria, Néstor de la Torre. I told him (via WhatsApp) that my visits to this museum when I was eighteen were a true “enlightenment” for me. A real master! Weiss mentioned that he had read that Néstor used to say that “the sea had been his first teacher.” Josh tells me that, after having been in Gran Canaria, “he understands it.”
Pictures from the workshop
Johs Weiss speaks about her experience in the workshop-residency
I had the pleasure of staying with Alfonso and Amparo for two weeks this summer. As soon as I got off the plane, I was warmly welcomed into their beautiful family. I received invaluable experiences both inside the studio and out and am so grateful for the opportunity to travel to Europe!
In the studio, Alfonso treated my plates like his own and shared so much technical knowledge and wisdom. The studio itself was so awesome because of its human and environment friendly tilt. I learned to use natural oils instead of chemicals to create and clean. To use clear electricity instead of corrosive acid to etch. The studio is safe enough for his adorable grandchildren to play and draw with crayons in! All the projects introduced me to novel ways of working and I learned so much about printmaking during my stay.
Outside the studio, with field trips to town, introductions to Alfonso’s friends, and walks along the beach and through the hills, I got a grasp on a unique and special Spanish island culture. I love all the sea shells scattered across the dirt and the towering rocks the cut up and across the sky. The peaceful sounds of ocean waves crashing on shore echo across the whole island. This beautiful environment and the people who live in it kindly gave me a new perspective that I will take back home with me.
Alfonso was just as honored that a boy from the United States would travel all the way across the world to meet him as I was that a man from Spain would allow me to stay in his home and absorb his knowledge. I’m so grateful that my path brought me here, to this beautiful land under the bridge. Thanks!
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I learned a lot during my stay: about printmaking and also about how to live the artists life. Thank you for welcoming me into your home and sharing what you know with me. I appreciate it. You are awesome! *
Johs Weiss's electro-etchings
* I received this email from Josh Weiss when he returned from Europe to USA. November 11, 2025.
Dear Alfonso,
Hello! It’s Josh Weiss. I arrived back in Los Angeles about one week ago. Since you dropped me off at the airport at the end of August, I’ve stepped foot in eleven new countries and visited 16 different cities. Thanks for giving me a good reason to fly across the ocean and see a new side of the world.
I learned a great deal about European culture, people, art, language and ways of life. I visited lots of museums, talked to many interesting people, and got to know myself better as I traveled to new place after new place all alone. The trip was long and epic and exhausting and wonderful and eye opening and challenging and fun and disgusting and boring and beautiful.
When we parted ways, I was a bit distraught because I dropped the press bed on the floor. So sorry about that. I cringe every time I think about it. I hope no permanent damage was caused and I’m sure you’ll warn all the future students not to do what I did.
I’m grateful for your hospitality and allowing me to stay with you and your family and to meet your cool friends. Those experiences, getting to know you and see how your artists friends created a life for themselves doing what they love, gave me insight into the artists life. I still think about the perspective you shared on the positive growth of technology and the impact it has had on human connection over the years. I was born into it, so this techy world is all i know, but you saw it grow and develop and that long view helped me understand what all this internet and screen stuff actually is.
I hope all is well on Gran Canaria!
Alfonso Crujera's repley to Josh Weiss. 25 noviembre 2025
Dear Josh.
How good to hear from you, and to receive such a beautiful letter. You are amazing! Thank you for sharing your experiences across the European continent. You have visited eleven countries — more than I know in Europe myself.
I’m very happy that your stay in our home–studio–residency served as a launching platform for you to visit those countries and have all those experiences. I get emotional every time I read your letter.
I haven’t written to you earlier because I’ve been busy with two residents who have required a lot of my attention, but we all learned a lot. Sharing my studio with you was also a learning experience for me.
I’m stuck with my website, which I haven’t been able to update. I hope that tomorrow, when a technician comes, I’ll be able to get it working again.
By the way, I would like to publish your letter on my website. May I?
And don’t worry about the press’s plate. It’s already fixed. I hope you also learned to handle the press carefully. The best thing is that you didn’t get hurt.
What else can I tell you? I’ll send you the links to my website when I’m able to update it. And I wouldn’t like to lose contact with you. I hope we’ll meet again in this life.
A big hug