Artist Statement

Everyday objects inspire me, whether it is a teapot , a cup and saucer or the cozy chair in my living room. Some of my prints are a reflection of wonderful family vacations spent in St. John , Virgin Island and my love of the island's tropical scenery and pristine beaches.

Santa Fe, New Mexico has also been an inspiration to me over the years. With its mountains, adobe architecture streets filled with shops and vendors it is a place that draws many artists.

My work includes many genres of printmaking. My most recent work combines a variety of printmaking techniques. I have started cutting apart my linocut plates, and printing them over other work, or collaging the cutouts sometimes using embroidery thread to introduce another element. I believe this has added more texture and interest to my prints. By cutting apart my carved plates they are not so " precious" to me anymore, allowing me the freedom for more experimentation.

My first love of printmaking began with linocuts. I have always enjoyed the physical aspect of carving and gauging out the linoleum plate to form line and texture, and imagery. When done carving, the surface of the plate is then inked with a roller and run through the press with dampened paper on top. There is always an element of surprise when the paper is lifted, and the relief image is exposed. Prints to me, are about exploring an image using shapes, lines, shadows and texture. Printmaking is a way of constantly challenging myself.

With each printmaking process, I am always learning something new, the possibilities are endless.

BIOGRAPHY

Robin Fruchter graduated Boston University with a BFA in Graphic Design and studied advertising/communication arts at The School of Visual Arts, in New York.

She began her career as a graphic designer working for numerous advertising agencies and other businesses. She has continued taking classes in painting, drawing and sculpture and printmaking at The Art School at the Old Church TASOC.

Studied oil painting at TASOC for 10 years with Carol Stronghilis a co-founder of The New York Feminist Art Institute. Ms. Stronghilis exhibited at the Whitney Museum, Newark Museum and the Brooklyn Museum.

Studied sculpture with Janice Mauro an award-winning sculptor, who has exhibited her work throughout the United States. Her work is included in many private and public collections.

Studied printmaking with Penny Dell an accomplished printmaker and former president of the National Organization of Woman Artists

Studied printmaking from 2005-2017 at TASOC with Dorothy Cochran, an accomplished printmaker, whose work is included in many private and public collections throughout the country.

Ms. Fruchter’s work has been exhibited throughout the Northeast. She was inducted into the National Organization of Woman Artists in 2009. She has been juried into the Center for Contemporary Printmaking International Footprint Competition four years in a row. She is also a member of Studio Montclair, Salute to Women in the Arts. She lives and works in New Jersey.

TECHNIQUES

My work includes multiple printmaking techniques. I have been experimenting and combining these techniques. This experimentation has been fulfilling creating endless possibilities.

I have included an explanation of these techniques.

Linocut- Linocuts are created by cutting or gouging out linoleum with the use of special carving tools to produce an image or texture. Ink is then applied with a roller over the image. The linoleum is placed in a press with dampened paper on top, then it is run through the printing press; this is a relief image.

Solar Etching - An image or drawing is created; these images are then copied (Xeroxed) onto mylar. The mylar is then placed on top of a plate that is coated with a polymer and exposed under ultraviolet light. After exposure the plate is scrubbed under water to create etched indentations. The plate is then again exposed to ultraviolet light to harden its entire surface. The plate is inked by applying the ink into the grooves by hand rubbing using a tarlatan. The plate is placed on the printing press, dampened paper on top and run through the press

Monotypes A unique printmaking technique that produces a single image that cannot be reproduced. The monoprint is editioned 1 of 1. For example, the image itself can be painted on plexiglass then printed to create an image.

Monoprints- Is not a wholly unique print. It begins with possibly an etched plate or some kind of template that can be repeated in different ways by adding something on the surface of the plate like chin colle, but the underlying image remains the same.

Drypoints- A printmaking technique that involves scratching an image into a plate with a sharp tool, then inking and printing the pate to create an image Drypoint is an intaglio image meaning the engraved lines are printed.