Ode to Australian Landscape Etching
Stunning and timeless etchings by Australian contemporary printmaker, Kate Piekutowski. These multi-layered and hand-painted etchings are inspired by my Polish heritage, travel, cultural diaspora and connections to place.
For those who don’t know, etching is a historic and traditional technique that uses a strong acid to cut into the unprotected parts of a metal surface. Evidence of the earliest engraved etchings are believed to date back to Germany, 1445. My etchings are made from either steel or copper and I use a bitumen hard ground to cover my plates which I then hand engrave. Each plate is then dipped into an acid bath and the acid bites away at my delicate lines. I then remove the hard ground layer and I am left with the engraving. Using a high-quality oil-based etching ink, I ink up my etching plate and use tarlatan (which is similar to a cheese cloth) to create soft, sweeping marks on my plate. The tarlatan creates plate tone and texture on my etchings. Once the plate is ready, I prepare my paper that has to be soaked in water beforehand. I dry the paper off and then put it through my etching press. Once printed, I let the layer dry.
After my etching has been printed, I often add an extra printed layer or add spray paint, acrylics, watercolours, gouache, gold leaf, black ink and gloss varnish. I call myself a contemporary printmaker as I have taken the traditional technique of etching and modernised it. I definitely break allot of printmaking rules in doing this, however I believe this process is what brings my artwork to life.
Why do I call my artworks ‘Unique or Varied State, Limited Edition?
Every editioned etching will be slightly different in plate tone, paper colour, mixed media and hand-painted elements. For example, the base colour of the etching could vary from black to sepia to burnt umber. I often mix different inks together to get the tone I am looking for. If I have an etching with a lady, her dress could change from gold to black to red. I explore and experiment with lots of different techniques to get the desired effect. It is important to emphasise that each etching is slightly unique in their own right.
Materials
Etching on Hahnamuhle archival paper 300gsm warm white, Charbonnel etching ink, water colours, gouache, ink, gold leaf.
Edition
Each etching is a Unique State, Limited Edition. Every edition comes with a certificate of authenticity, date and signature.
Time Frame
All editions are made to order unless I have an edition in the studio ready-made. The time frame can vary however please allow 7-14 working days for me to prepare and make the etching. If the etching will take longer due to the complexity of painting or layering I will send you an email.
Postage
I offer FREE EXPRESS POSTAGE on all original etchings. All A5 or A4 sized etching comes with a white mat board, backed onto foam core and wrapped in tissue paper. Etchings A3 size or larger will be safely rolled with tissue paper and sent in a tube.
