So today was my first full day in the workshop, and I'd say it was a success.

I started off by preparing my plates some more. Usually I would have burnished, polished, and de-greased them. However, today I learned a more effective way of preparing a plate that I had yet to experience. The method I learned involved sanding the plate with 3 different sandpapers (600, 800, and 1000) leaving them pretty smooth. Next, a polish that must be vigorously buffed was applied and removed. After this, another polish was applied and removed leaving the surface as reflective as a new piece of copper. It is quite a few more steps than I am use to, but it is very effective and I like that.

Next I went for a small hike in the woods near the workshop. I found many of the same things that I would have in Louisiana- pine trees, spiders, a random ball cap, grass, a sock- but I also found things that aren't in Louisiana. Here is a picture of a couple of them.

I then returned to the shop to begin making my image. More on that tomorrow.

The shop pets are turtles. There are four turtles. Here is a picture of a turtle.

Irene Badia is another printmaker here as well. She has been here for nearly four months making massive etchings of abstracted aerial views of Italian farmland. Irene and Jordi have been so helpful with learning how the shop runs.

Today made me very excited for the next two weeks!