The “Graphics Nine” show opening Sept. 4, 2009 at the Charles Street Gallery features the work of nine local artists.
A reception to meet the artists will be held from 5:30 until 9:00 pm on Sept. 4 at the gallery located at 914 Charles Street in the Beaufort Historic District.
Joan Templer was the instructor for this energetic group of artists who explored many different graphic techniques that utilize the etching press to print images. Among the applications and techniques studied were Mono Prints, Collagraphs, Etchings, Graphite Transfers, Embossing, Air Brushing, and the application of Gold Leaf. Artists whose work is on display are Phyllis Crimmel, Pam Hagan, Carol Kamm, Juliana Kim, Ellen Long, Hetty Nijman, Betty Powell, Barbara Snow, and Joan Templer. 
Joan encouraged the Beaufort Art Association to purchase an Etching Press nine years ago and is always eager to introduce new artists to the many ways it may be used to produce very striking art. Collagraphs are produced by creating a printing plate with collaged materials. The three dimensional plate may then be run through the press to produce an “embossed” image on watercolor paper. The resulting image may be airbrushed or enhanced in other ways. Ellen Long’s “Copper Koi” used air brushing and metallic paints to replicate the look of a tarnished copper plaque. Barbara Snow’s “Circle the Moon II” is an example of a Collagraph with Gold Leaf details. Barb says that “the pieces in this show have all evolved through my love of experimentation. Not knowing quite what something is going to look like until it is printed is part of this exciting process.”
Collagraph plates may also have an application of oil paints or printing inks applied before printing for a very different finished print. Phyllis Crimmel felt that creating the Collagraph plates with pieces of textured materials was the most exciting process. She said that “one of the best things was using the same plate again with different effects.”
Intaglio prints are created by scratching the images into a plate with a sharp stylus and then applying oil paint or printers’ inks to the plate before printing. For this class, the plates used were Plexiglas. Hetty Nijman’s art titled “General Store at Historic Seabrook” is an example of the Intaglio prints. Hetty says that printmaking opens whole new dimensions for an artist. Each new print has its own mood and can create somewhat unexpected results. Part of the excitement is the anticipation of the resulting art. It is often a process of trial and error. 
Prints are often augmented with additional treatments after the first run through the press. Carol Kamm says “it is exciting to artistically merge elements that delight and excite your eyes, your mind and your heart. Bringing found objects into the more traditional structure of painting and printmaking continues to expand my horizons.”
The show will continue through September 18, with the gallery open Monday through Friday from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm and Saturdays from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm.
