Here is an idea of the various processes that I use to create the final prints for you.
I start with a study of my archive of images, or sometimes photograph something that I think will work with these processes. First, it gets a thorough going over to render it to my satisfaction for the first steps in its transformation. It then gets put through some preset actions, filters and a lot of what I call “hand work”, where I must go in and remove things and spend tedious hours cleaning up, straightening out and making various elements work to my satisfaction. Invariably I end up with many versions of the image as I save them so that I can go back and reuse parts which serve the image better in newer versions. Once I feel a version has made the grade, I archive it to my “picks” folder and start tweaking it to something that is ready to print. This process, for one image can take a great many hours of concentrated work.
Printing is a multi-step, somewhat complex process that starts with making proof prints until the desired print is produced. Realizing that what I see on a screen that transmits light, can in no way be the same as what one sees on a printed piece using reflected light, I still try to get as close as possible. Thus proofing is essential to put the FINE in fine art reproduction. Color, density, reflectivity, saturation and other nuances make choosing the right substrate for the finished work quite a challenge. After hundreds of tests, proofs and research, I have decided on reproducing this work on the very heavy weight, highly textured, yet glossy, Hahnemuhle photo rag metallic paper. The proofing and choice of substrate to print on, is the most important part of the process to bring you a work that satisfies my rather picky needs and provides the people who like my work enough to buy it the highest quality I am able to produce. After I have a good print I spray multiple coats of a special coating to further protect the print from moisture and UV rays (this does not make the print "waterproof", but makes it more archival). I am hardly a factory grinding out thousands of prints each day with only superficial attention to details and real respect for what that means to the rendering for the artist. "Good enough" is not good enough for me.
Once I have a print fit for myself and my patrons, I prepare a .040 aluminum panel I had cut to my standard size (right now I am only doing a few 18" x 24" panels, later other sizes will be available) which I prepare to receive the print. This requires brushing the adhesive side to make a good bond and filing and then sanding the edges with fine emery cloth to remove burrs and make rounded corners. After this, it will be ready to a print mounted on it.
At this point, I'm ready to start mounting the print on the panel. I am currently using a transfer adhesive that need to be cut to size and then transferred to the aluminum panel using a rubber roller. After peeling off the adhesive's backing paper, I then use a custom jig built by my friend and collaborator, Jack Shaw, so that the print and panel can be held in place for precise alignment. A protective sheet is placed over the print once it is aligned and the roller is used to permanently attach the print to the panel. At this point the finished piece is put into a protective clear bag.
After the print is mounted a frame may be ordered and hooks and wire may be hung on the back for wall installations. At the moment I can't show any images of what the pieces look like framed because we can't get materials because of the pandemic crisis. When we do, we will post them. The frames will be very simple, narrow metal ones.
Actually, there are a great many steps in between. I have to move all kinds of things around, order materials and keep track of them, adjust the lighting for optimum viewing of proofs, and many other things that would make this description of how I do it more of manual than an edifying explanation of my process.. As you can see this is not a "fast, cheap and easy" process. However all these steps and many other things I do, lead to a very satisfying result for me and, hopefully you as well.
