Aquatint Etchings
Printmaker Julia Lucey observes native California wildlife, both flora and fauna, and etches color and decorative pattern plates in an attempt to “tame” the wild, to make it accessible. As aquatint etchings, which involve the application of multiple tones on copper plates, these etchings are able to evoke the multiple dimensions of the natural world.
Lucey’s new series of etchings, when exhibited together, create an immersive environment, akin to the environment from which the inspiration is derived. Each piece is hand-etched to create a “tame wild,” the floral background intended as a fabricated context for each animal.