FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ARTIST PROOF : Originally,  a small percentage of a limited edition went  to the artist,  in addition to compensation, to do with as they wish ( sell, give, etc. ). These pieces are called and numbered as artist proofs. The common mis-conception that these images are different, printed first or better than the rest of the edition has driven the demand up for artist proofs. Therefore artist proof editions are much larger than they once were and other than the numbering, the quality is as good as the rest of the edition.

GICLEE ( Pronounced 'G-CLAY' ) : French term meaning 'Spraying of ink'. This print form takes 300+ colors of ink and matches the appropriate color to the original and sprays that color exactly where it should go on the paper or canvas. Once completed, the final product is rich and colorful and on canvas is difficult to distinguish from the original.

OFFSET LITHOGRAPH  : This is a photomechanical process where the original is photographed and then a few basic colors are used to recreate the image as when film is developed or the way a book of artwork or photographs would be printed. The final product is a beautiful recreation of the artist's original painting. This is usually the most economical way to have a hand-signed limited edition by the artist.

ORIGINAL GOUACHE ( Pronounced 'GWASH' ) : This is an original painting using watercolor and thickener mixed to produce the colors used to create the painting.

ORIGINAL SERIGRAPH : A silkscreen where each color and variation of a color is matched to the original and each have their own silk-screen which only allows that particular color to print where it should as compared to the original. The first screen must be registered on the paper exactly, the paint is then poured on the screen and then a squeegee is used to distribute the paint evenly over the screen. This is done on each sheet of paper.  The sheets are then allowed to dry and are proofed for accuracy. Once complete, the process begins again with the next screen and color. Though there are many serigraphs in each edition, the term original is used because each image is printed slightly different and is unique. This is a long and difficult process, but the result turns out one of the most beautiful graphic mediums of our time.

REMARQUE :  This is a small original painting, by the artist, usually painted on the white border of a limited edition graphic to make that particular graphic unique.