I recently spent a lovely day at West Dean College (West Sussex, UK) learning how to etch into waste tetrapak cartons. You know those cartons fruit juice and milk that isn’t really milk comes in. I was looking for another way of translating some sketch book scribbles in a way I wouldn’t paint them, or which I never intend to be paintings. Etching on cartons means you have to work with, or ignore, the creases and marks – throwing up the unexpected and providing its own patina.
A day provided enough time to experiment with different tools and ink a few of the etchings – enough time to learn the sensitivity that is needed in both making the marks and the inking process. You can only use a ‘plate’ 4-5 times before it starts breaking down, and in my hands the inking varied each time, so they really are very limited editions! Increased respect for all print artists!
Kate Griffin 