Inside Look: Art+Design student sheds light on printmaking during Covid

 

What is printmaking and how have art students participated in classes for this art form during the Covid-19 pandemic? What has been the impact? Karla Aleman, a student in La Sierra University’s Art+Design department describes how she and her classmates have worked during spring quarter in a Hyflex studio class taught by Assistant Professor Tim Musso, learning the time-honored medium of printmaking which dates to the 15th century. The class is one of several on-campus labs and studio classes that have been allowed under public health guidelines during the ongoing pandemic and that have offered options for online attendance. The following has been lightly edited for clarity and brevity:

The art of printmaking has an incredibly rich and extensive history. As an example of how far printmaking dates back, German goldsmith and inventor Johannes Gutenburg introduced the art to Europe through his invention of the mechanical moveable-type printing press in the 15th century. Through this intricate invention was he able to produce the Gutenberg Bible. Now, in the 21st century, during a world-wide pandemic nonetheless, our students at La Sierra University are learning some of the same printing techniques and processes in the printmaking class taught by Professor Musso.

Tim Musso, assistant art professor, leads a Hyflex printmaking class at the Visual Art Center. (Photos: Karla Aleman)

The theme for the first project was “future propaganda” for a screen-printed poster. Students had to complete a two-color screen print with an edition size of 10 identical serigraphs using at least two photo stencils. What does that mean? Screen printing is a lengthy and definitely tricky printmaking technique that involves a meshed screen used to transfer ink onto a surface except in the areas where it was made impenetrable to the ink by a blocking stencil. Students had to overcome the challenge of aligning all of their stencils perfectly in order for their multi-colored designs to be successful. Additionally, they had to repeat each stencil print 10 times to meet their edition size requirement.

It was a fantastic time for learning, but this specific printmaking class of 2021 was unprecedented as it was taught under a Hyflex model that offered both in-person and online courses. We asked a few of our printmaking students some questions regarding their experiences attending this class in-person after learning on Zoom video conferencing for a year.

Below are some students’ thoughts and insights on their time learning and practicing screen printing in the studio:

Aaron

Q: Has working with your hands had a positive effect on your stress levels and mental health?

A: Yes, I would definitely say working with my hands has had a positive effect on my stress levels and mental health. After spending almost a whole year on Zoom and doing everything digitally, having a chance to come to class and physically make art has been very relaxing and a really nice change of pace.

Q: Did you take any drawing classes before this class? If yes, has that background helped? If not, do you think it would have helped your projects?

A: I took one drawing class during my sophomore year in high school, but to be honest I don’t remember a whole lot of it so I don’t know how much that’s contributed to my art today. However, I do feel that it has definitely helped in things such as shading and proportions.

Q: How is learning a manual art making skill different than digital?

A: Learning a manual art making skill is different than learning a digital art-making skill in that with manual art you learn more about planning what you’re going to do and how you’re going to execute it, as things are more permanent and difficult to fix with this style. I find that digital art is better for experimenting and getting a different look with your art.

Q: Do you find that you are more present in this class?

A: Definitely, being in person has made it a lot easier for me to stay engaged with course material, collaborate with others, and share ideas.  

Corey

Q: What is it like to be in the studio for the first time in a while?

A: It's honestly my first time attending the art studio so being out and attending class on campus instead of Zoom has been a nice change of pace.

Q: Has working with your hands had a positive effect on your stress levels and mental health?

A: I say, yes. It had a lot more of a positive effect. Working in the studio puts my mind at ease and lets me focus all my attention on my work with no distractions.

Q: How is learning a manual art-making skill different than digital?

A: When learning manual art I believe there is more control and movement on how we want the product to turn out while we have the ideas set up - it's about how to execute each step carefully. With digital art, it's pretty easy to fix a mistake with a simple control+Z. Manually, everything is a make or break but the end result is satisfying.

Q: Do you find that you are more present in this class?

A: Definitely. Compared to the Zoom meetings, I feel a lot more engaged in the activities and am ready to participate.

Janice

Q: Do you have a certain type of music you play while working?

A: Yes, I listen to instrumental music or soundtrack music to help me focus on my work. Music with minimal lyrics clears my mind, but I also enjoy listening to indie pop and indie rock if I’m in the mood.

Q: Has working with your hands had a positive effect on your stress levels and mental health?

A: Art has always been really good for my mental health, and it also takes my mind off of difficult school work.  Working in the studio class makes me feel less stressed since I feel more determined to work.

Q: How is learning a manual art-making skill different than digital?

A: Manual art in comparison to digital art requires more movement, and you can really feel the time pass as you work. Digital art is useful for looking at the final product but seeing the end result of the manual work feels extremely rewarding.

Q: Do you find that you are more present in this class?

A: Yes, I’m definitely more present in this class. I feel more comfortable and confident in my work ethic, and I can tell that it’s reflected in my work.

Zain

Q: Has social interaction via in-person class vs. online bettered your art and/or designs? 

A: Yes, I do think it has bettered my art and designs. I think when you don’t have the face-to-face feedback it is easy to get lost in your head. It is helpful to hear other people critique your art so you can get a general idea of what someone else sees.

Q: Has working with your hands had a positive effect on your stress levels and mental health?

A: Yes, a very positive effect. When I'm working with my hands, it's easy for me to get in the zone. I can forget about everything else and focus on the task at hand.

Q: How is learning a manual art-making skill different than digital?

A: I prefer manual art. Making things with my hands is much more gratifying for me personally. In digital art, you always have complete control. I enjoy the unpredictability of making things with your hands.

Q: Do you find that you are more present in this class?

A: Yes, this class definitely feels like my most important class, and it is to me so I prioritize it that way. I feel much more involved in this class than my other classes.

Stephanie

Q: What helps you focus while you’re screen printing?  

A: What helps me focus is playing music or listening to a podcast while I work. It really helps me get in the zone and helps me stay focused.

Q: Has working with your hands had a positive effect on your stress levels and mental health?

A: It definitely has had a positive effect on my stress and health. Creating work with my hands has always helped with stress, and I feel like especially in printmaking because of how satisfying some of the processes can be.

Q: How is learning a manual art-making skill different than digital?

A: What’s different about creating manual art is that a lot of the time you can’t really erase a mistake. With digital art you can erase or fix your mistakes, whereas in manual art it’s a little more difficult to do that.

Q: Do you find that you are more present in this class?

A: Yes, being able to go on campus and working with my classmates again has made me feel like the world is slowly going back to normal again, and I just feel like I can focus better in this class than my other classes.

For further information on the Art+Design program, please call 951-785-2170 or email art@lasierra.edu. La Sierra University is planning a re-opening for Fall 2021. For updates on La Sierra University’s Covid-19 Resources and Campus Re-Opening Protocol and Campus Operations, please visit these website sections at: https://lasierra.edu/covid-19/

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