There’s a new printing press in town — and it has quietly taken up residence at the Weston Arts & Innovation Center. I recently spent three weeks learning collagraph printmaking with local artist Carol Ryan — and getting to know Conrad (yes, that’s the press’s name)
Before we explore Conrad’s magic, a quick primer for those unfamiliar with printmaking. Collagraphy is a versatile process in which artists create textured plates by layering or carving materials like mat board, paper, or found objects. These plates are sealed, inked, and then run through a printing press, where pressure transfers the ink onto paper, revealing rich textures and surprising details.
Our instructor, Carol — an experienced printmaker with a deep love of process — guided us through every step with patience and humor. She came to printmaking through years of studio practice and now shares her skills with students eager to experience the alchemy of the press.
“As the noted abstract painter Helen Frankenthaler said, “The magic happens in the process, not just the final image.” “What I love most about printmaking is how it unfolds in the space between control and surrender, where intention meets the delightful surprise,” Carol shares.
During our first week, Carol laid out an assortment of laser-cut shapes for us to choose from — blowfish, vegetables, flowers, birds — you name it. We grabbed our trusty Xacto knives and began carving away areas we wanted to highlight or allow to “pop” with color later. The plates were then sealed with shellac to strengthen the surface and prepared for inking.
I’ll admit: carving small pieces of mat board is equal parts therapeutic and frustrating. Yet that tension is central to printmaking: it gently pushes you to release perfectionism. No matter how carefully you plan, an element of surprise always emerges in the final print — a shift in pressure, an unexpected mark, a texture revealed only after the paper lifts away.
Collagraph printing typically uses oil-based or water-soluble intaglio inks designed to hold detail and texture under pressure. Throughout the process, Carol reminded us that working with a press requires patience and experimentation. Small adjustments to pressure, paper dampness, or ink consistency can dramatically change the outcome — which is part of what makes the process endlessly fascinating.
The addition of a professional-quality press like Conrad expands what’s possible at Weston AIC, inviting both seasoned printmakers and curious beginners into the process. The press is more than a tool; it’s a gathering point where experimentation, conversation, and creativity intersect. As my classmates and I pulled our prints, learning from one another became as meaningful as the artwork itself.
Come meet Conrad, learn from a great instructor, and experience printmaking firsthand by signing up for a class at Weston AIC.