The Chicago Girlz (our affectionate nickname), an extraordinary trio of printmakers made up of Deborah Lader, founder and director of The Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, her mother Carol Lader and Carol’s sister (Deborah’s aunt) Janet Imerman, have set new benchmarks for printmaking zeal in my studio. These remarkable young people stepped off the Chicago-Granada flight (Janet was actually coming straight through from Los Angeles) at midday last Monday, put down their bags in the Gallinero, rested for a whole hour and then proceeded to my studio to begin making prints.
And that was the pace they maintained for the rest of the week, till we put them on the bus to Madrid this morning. I never saw such printmaking joy and fervor. Most nights they were in the studio until past midnight. It was a challenge to keep up with them.
They had never done solar-plate prints before, and were anxious to immerse themselves in the techniques and get a grip on them once and for all. This was particularly true for Deborah, who wanted to determine whether solar plate was something she should be offering in her own studio in Chicago. She concluded that it was.
Though the Chicago Girlz only left this morning (with piles of prints under their respective arms), they have left an emptiness in my studio which seems to lack hustle and bustle, good humor, interesting conversation and, well, oodles of creativity. Here is a photo gallery with some pictures Mike made during their stay:
Printmaking Courses in Spain 
This was such a fabulous workshop! We three “Chicago Girlz” didn’t want to leave, and now that we’re back in Chicago (and Los Angeles), we’re pining for the uninterrupted studio hours, the gorgeous setting, and Maureen’s good humored patience and gifts as a teacher. This was a truly life altering experience, and we are grateful to both Mike and Maureen for creating a printmaker’s paradise in the Spanish hills. I am looking forward to further experimentation with the solar plate process at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative, where I have been receiving requests from other printmakers who wish to also learn this process.
Carol, you’re too kind. We enjoyed your visit immensely and learned from you Chicago Girlz, as well. Keep us posted with the results of your solar-plate printmaking experiences in Deb’s studio (what a luxury having a studio in the family!)
And, by all means, c’mon back!
Love, Maureen & Mike
You see, dear Deborah, some people are sponges for life-altering experiences…
Whenever I hear “Don’t Be Cruel” it reminds me of us all dancing around my studio together like a bunch of teeny boppers!
Love,
M&M
P.S. Congratulations on winning a print prize in New York. If you make it to the show, please give our regards to Stephen Fredericks.
DEAR MIKE AND MAUREEN,
WE ENJOYED EVERYTHING ABOUT OUR VISIT!!! YOU BOTH ARE VERY SPECIAL AND HAVE CREATED A GARDEN AND A HOME THAT INSPIRED
EACH OF US TO LEARN , FOCUS AND TO BE JOYFUL! I AM PLANNING
TO BEGIN SOLAR PRINTING NEXT WEEK IN DEBORAH’S STUDIO. I SEND
LOVE AND HOPE TO SPEND MORE TIME IN YOUR WONDERFUL STUDIO
WITH YOU, MAUREEN, AS MY WISE AND TALENTED INSTRUCTOR.
MIKE, YOU ARE A PERFECT HOST, CHEF, AND A GREAT ONE MAN
SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR YOUR GRATEFUL GUESTS. KEEP IN TOUCH
AND STAY WELL. CAROL LADER