Laura Jones’ Works On Paper, an experiment in printmaking
Laura Jones, the Sydney-based artist – best known for her exquisite still life paintings of flowers, will open her new exhibition, Works On Paper, at the Olsen Gallery Annexe this weekend.
An experiment in printmaking, the show features five etchings (each in an edition of 30), five monotypes and a few of Laura’s paintings.
For Works On Paper, Laura worked closely with master printer, Diana Davidson – one of the artist’s first printmaking teachers during her studies at the College of Fine Arts. She relished the opportunity to work on etchings once again alongside Diana in her print workshop, Whaling Road Studio. Diana has been working from the North-Sydney based practice with Australian artists since 1978.
Laura Jones
“Diana and COFA’s Head of Printmaking, Michael Kempson, taught me everything I know about etching. So it has been absolutely wonderful going back to work with Diana as an artist after all these years.”
Laura spent weeks working closely with Diana in her studio, their days together following a simple routine. “The day usually starts at around midday with a cup of coffee and pastry, and usually I bring flowers. Diana always has so many beautiful objects and art around her house and studio that they have made their way into my work.”
The etching process is incredibly laborious, with rounds of prototyping that uses sugar-lift etching, hard ground and chine-collé techniques. It was also the first time Laura had worked with Monotypes; initially she was hesitant, but says she gradually fell in love with the process.
“There’s nothing quite like the feeling of pulling the first proof off the press.” Laura tells us, “you really have to see these pieces in the flesh to see the texture and all the subtleties, but that is a part of their beauty too.”
Works On Paper 17th November – 8th December at Olsen Gallery Annexe, Sydney.
Credits: Olsen Gallery
