Printmaking Courses in Spain

Isabel Mitchell (left) taking a break in the shade with Maureen

A lot of printmakers may identify with Isabel Mitchell. She graduated with a degree in fine arts, then got married, had a family, and finally went back to school and got herself a “sensible degree.” Then she worked in business for a couple of decades, always yearning to get back to art. It was in this frame of mind that she stepped on a plane in Toronto three weeks ago, stepped off it in Spain’s Málaga airport, rented a car (and a GPS) and drove the two hours up to Maureen’s studio in Granada. She was to stay in the Gallinero residence for two weeks of saturation printmaking.

Isabel and Maureen decided that she would make the fastest progress working with solar-plate techniques mixed with playful creative touches like chine-collé (which the Spanish call “fondino”), reserves, and relief work, all of which was rigorously non toxic. “Isabel took to the work like a duck returning to the water after a long dry spell,” says Maureen. “I don’t think I’ve met anybody so fulfilled by making prints, nor so appreciative.”

Why did Isabel feel so at home in Granada? Because she was born and raised to the age of ten in Argentina, and still speaks Spanish. So of course she felt at home. So much so that she’s thinking hard about coming back next year! Here are some pictures of her stay: