Chugging and Etching Their Way to Change
By Nathan Falvo
Image by Tugboat Printshop: "America The Beautiful"
Many things in life cannot be judged by their appearance, the strength of a single ant, the intelligence of a pot bellied pig, or the importance of a small tugboat in the open sea. Paul Roden and Valerie Lueth would probably appreciate all the examples mentioned above, as their small printshop readies a traditional printmaking industry for change. The Tugboat Printshop was founded after Paul opened a grant funded gallery entitled “
Tugboat Gallery”. The icon of a Tugboat stuck with them as they started to open their printshop and studios. Paul and Valerie’s work for Tugboat consists mainly of
woodcuts and
etchings. Woodcut, which has been the main focus lately for the Tugboaters, consists of cutting out a low relief image from a block of wood, adding ink to the finished carving and lastly applying the inked carving to a desired paper. Topped off with applying pressure from a spoon or a press and you will see a finished product that is surprisingly clear, distinct and unique!
Paul and Valerie seem to get inspiration from all around them. Nothing narrows down what could be put in the next press; their surroundings seem to dictate what is symbolized in their work. After seeing some of the pieces up close it is easy to see there is meaning behind these detailed pieces of contemporary art.
With all the channels art has today and the never ending cycle of pop culture exploiting all that is innocent, it is nice to see a practice that has endured. The Tugboaters practice an art that has been around a long time and often witnesses’ resurgences. Paul and Valerie believe this relatively inexpensive practice has an advantage by having the capacity to replicate and increase the availability and scope of an image. Printmaking is definitely a well thought out, patient, respected practice that also offers convenience in replication.
The Tugboaters do travel out of the printshop and have been seen at the “Prints Gone Wild” events hosted by
Cannonball Press in Williamsburg, Brooklyn and of course our very own Sundae Market in Pittsburgh! Both of them have a favorable opinion of these kinds of events as Paul and Valerie believe open markets can help the public find something different that they can’t find at conventional outlets. As Paul and Valerie reflect in the history of their city, their community and even the early occupants of their 100 year home, it is easy to see why these kinds of events provide satisfaction for this printshop team.
As attitudes change, and trends pass, there will always be room for a little tugboat to keep pushing on. Whether it is barreling through an ocean or a handmade market, the proof is in the well crafted work that is created in a little printshop in
Pittsburgh, PA. It is definitely one large task for one small shop, but they are slowly and confidently etching their way to major change in contemporary art.
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