Tugboat Printshop

"Summer of Lovin': Lest Ye Be Judged Ye'selves," 48" x 32" Color Woodcut, printed on BFK paper. Paul Roden 2004.

Back in February 2006, Dolan had the pleasure of seeing the work of artists Paul Roden and Valerie Lueth at their exhibition at TAG Art Gallery in Nashville. Paul and Valerie are talented printmakers that recently moved to the Pittsburgh community and founded a printshop, Tugboat Printshop. Talented printmakers is a bit of an understatement. The attention to detail in their work is nothing short of amazing. For anyone who has ever had the opportunity to make a woodcut, there is no lack of necessary meditation, mixed with frustration. A single slip of the blade or carving tool can dig unforgiving lines into the piece, and maybe even lop off a finger. Looking at Paul's work I cannot imagine the tedious hours spent mastering this craft, to create such detailed landscapes and cityscapes as well as the number of colors used in each work.

But it doesn't stop there. Valerie is also an artist possessed by the fine line. Creating works in both the print and illustration realm, her pieces are even more intricate and sometimes dizzyingly detailed. That is a compliment. There are very few artists who can work in such detail and still manage to maintain control over the work. Her images range from bizarre mad-scientist-mouse-trap scenarios with portions of machines and human figures, to labyrinthine strands of hair, wrapped in patterns resembling early Atari-game mazes.

It is easy to see that these studio mates are a match made in heaven, and print/T-shirt lovers can do some excellent one stop shopping by visiting their Etsy shop . And just a word to the wise: if you are a collector, I highly suggest purchasing some of their work before they are discovered by museums and their prices skyrocket.

"Show of Hands, Orations of the Inaudible," 11" x 14" Etching on Arches 88 paper. Valerie Lueth 2004.