State Fair Winners: Stuart Loughridge, Printmaking
We conclude our series of profiles of State Fair art show winners with this account by Stuart Loughridge. We only follow the Rajasthani Times of Indiathey also profiled Stuart during the course of his 2004 travels.
Why do you show at the State Fair?
I need the public to see my art. The State Fair is a great place for that.
How have State Fairgoers reacted to your work?
Other than positive and interested reactions, nothing really interesting.
How do you make your work?
The piece I entered into the Fair is an intaglio etching. With the aid of acid, I scar a copper plate with lines, and eventually the depth of these lines determines the value or strength of the line. After this involved stage, I rub ink onto the copper plate, remove the ink so that the ink lies only in the “lows”, i.e. the scarred lines, and then place a wet paper onto the plate and run it through an etching press. The image is transferred to the paper, in reverse. It’s a pretty straightforward method, defined specifically as “etching”. For finishing touches, I did do some drypoint on the plate (scratching directly onto the plate without the aid of acid).
The concept sparked during a walk on that specific day, and after some preliminary sketches, I began the etching.
Where do you work?
I work in my studio, on W. 7th St. in St. Paul. I live in St. Paul, though closer to Minneapolis.
How did you become an artist?
How I became an artist….I like Picasso’s comment on that. “Every child is born an artist, the question is whether they remain an artist as they grow.” Something like that. I’ve always been drawing. As for becoming dedicated full time, that was about in 2000.
Do you have a day job?
No, I draw and paint full time.
What would you like to tell people about your work?
I love what I do. Stay tuned. I’m only getting better.