Cinda Berry

Printmaking

My process begins with the lamination of light-sensitive photopolymer film to a substrate (for example, plastic, copper, or zinc) to make a plate, which is then exposed to a positive image on transparent film and ultra-violet light. When the plate is dried, ink is applied to its surface and wiped so that ink remains in lines or areas that are "etched" in surface of the plate. Multiple plates are inked with different non-toxic inks and printed in succession onto damp paper using a hand-operated press. Each new layer increases the depth and complexity of the image, and each layer is as unique as a fingerprint. The process is somewhat unpredictable. A small and seemingly insignificant variation at any step of the plate-making or printmaking can create unexpected and sometimes serendipitous results. Often a "mistake" or unexpected variation can be incorporated into the composition to good effect.