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Randy Owens is best known for his original hand printed serigraphs of contemporary racing
scenes and color line of race wear, as well as his lively graphic designs on the
Scandia Motorsports racing art cars.
Vivid colors and dynamic compositions are trademarks of this master printmaker's work,
evoking all of the atmosphere and excitement of racing. Venues have included
Long Beach, Monte Carlo, Miami, Tokyo and Montrèal.
Serigraphy, also known as silkscreen printing, is one of
several methods for creating fine art. In all of Owens' work, every color
represents a separate stencil that is hand-cut by the artist. Each stencil is
adhered to the screen, a fine silk-like mesh, which has been stretched
torque-tight over a metal frame. Using a rubber and wood squeegee, ink is
pulled across the top of the screen, pressing ink down through the open areas of
the stencil onto the paper below. Each copy in the edition is printed with the
first color and placed on a rack to dry. At this point the stencil is dissolved
away to clean the screen. The entire process is then repeated for each
following color. 25 to 40 screens are typically used in Owens' work. Each
print is an original work of art.
To protect your investment, quality framing is
recommended for all fine prints. Acid-free mats should be used. Serigraphs
should not be dry mounted. Glass or acrylic will help protect the finished
piece.
What's the difference between a serigraph and a lithograph?
A lithograph, commonly know as an offset lithograph, is made on a high
speed mechanical press capable of printing 4-6 colors at a time at a rate of 5,000
per hour. The printer starts with a photograph of the original artwork and, using a
computer, scans the color separations.
The printer has the ability to take extra care and steps to increase the quality over
that of a common poster. When satisfied with the printer's work, the artist may sign
and number the edition and even add extra value by creating an original drawing or
remarque on the margin. The edition sizes usually range from 100 to as many as 3,000.
A serigraph, also called a silkscreen print, can be machine made, but it is commonly
hand made. Stencils are crafted and attached (adhered) to a tightly stretched screen.
There are many ways to make a stencil. Painting a screen with a block-out substance, like glue; or hand
cutting stencils with a knife or by curling light sensitive emulsions. Ink is
pressed through the screen by pulling a squeegee over the screen, through the
stencil and onto the paper beneath.
Each color is a separate step. The serigrapher can
usually hand print 100 copies of one color in an hour, not including the time
necessary to cut the stencil. There may be 10 to 100 colors or more on a single
print. The prints are signed and numbered in the same manner that a lithograph
would be, but the edition sizes are usually much smaller, with a range from 10
to 300.
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