This week, Peter Pettengill and his assistant, Caitlin, will produce a large etching in collaboration with Barbara Putnam. Barbara has recently returned from an expedition to the Arctic, and her print is inspired by the magnificence of the northern landscape.

Peter and Caitlin will use multiple plates to create this print. The key plate, which contains Barbara’s drawing, is shown above. Color will be added using additional plates (one for each color).

After a busy first day at the studio, Peter gave a talk at the Visual Arts Center, which was attended by Bowdoin students as well as members of the local printmaking community. During his talk, Peter described his experience working with artists such as Sol LeWitt, Louise Bourgeois, and Walton Ford, among others. His job as a master printer is to enable artists from every discipline produce a print. Although he claims no authorship in the works, he is necessary to their existence.