The Lure of Limited Edition Prints

Multiples and limited edition prints are forging new ground in design projects and collections as a hybrid alternative. New highly detailed digital techniques became available and invite artists to explore a contemporary print format. Artists are finding good results on archival paper, in resin and on fabric. Sourcing intriguing prints that retain the artist’s vision offered at recessionary friendly price points is a winning combination for designers.

“Multiples can be a great addition to a collection because they offer the opportunity to acquire unique works but without the cost associated with original art. That means collectors can access work by more established artists they might not be able to otherwise.”

“Recent advances in high quality digital printing, and new mixed media techniques have allowed in part for this trend to arise”, said Trudy Montgomery, Art Advisor at Blue Tangerine Art located in Los Angeles, San Francisco and London.

Etchings, lithographs, woodcuts and aquatints have historically been the standard print genre. Artisan created prints draw to mind European old masters and differ in the surface quality from mass-produced offset lithographs (posters).

However I do not discount contemporary techniques as long as the artists’ eye is significantly involved in the process. Simon Blattner, owner of Eastside Edition and print enthusiast takes it one step further in his understanding of contemporary printmaking,

“Sometimes “print” is just handed off to the tech and the art guy never sees it again except to sign. I would call it a “poster”. In any case, if it is not by hand, if the artist is not part of the process, if nobody turns the crank, if the computer is the generator, then I guess I don’t think it is print.”

Welcoming new print technology allows me a way to offer my panel paintings in a very limited edition (30 prints) to an increased audience. I have carefully worked with a printer to produce a limited run of my paintings from my Expressing Turbulence series which speaks to our changing times expressed though reflection on the body.

Trudy Montgomery, also an artist in her own right, has created a limited print edition of her paintings for my curatorial projects in the hospitality industry.

Patter Hellstrom is a San Francisco based artist whose abstract works on paper are exhibited by galleries in both New York and San Francisco. In addition to her art, she is also a business entrepreneur. Along with her partner Peter Zirnis on the east coast, they own Hellstrom+Zirnis LLC which works with developers and companies to curate and place art in public spaces.