When I regularly commuted to the UK for work, I used to attend open access printmaking studios in West Yorkshire. I had used this press at Leeds Print Workshop and found it easy to use especially because it has a gearbox so turning the handle doesn't require a lot of force.
There are no open access printmaking workshops where I live, not even in the nearest city (which is about an hour away). Having decided to continue on my printmaking journey, I was finding the lack of access to equipment frustrating. I researched printing presses in Italy and found that they are ridiculously expensive. (Plus I wasn't impressed with the FOME school etching press that I had tried at the beginning of the course).
I considered trying to convert a mangle or buy a cheaper type of press which I found on eBay so I asked for advice on various printmakers' groups on social media. In the end I decided to go with a press which I knew was easy to use. I had also had great customer service from Hawthorn when I had ordered inks from them in the past.
My husband, son and I were planning a trip to the UK to visit family. Normally we would fly, but this year we decided to drive over and pick up the press at the same time. It fitted relatively easily into the boot of our estate car. The journey itself was a bit of a nightmare but now the press is installed, I'm so glad we did it!
This is a large investment for which I used some of our savings plus a small loan from family. It is my 50th birthday present to myself! I'll be living on plain pasta with veg from the garden for the next year or two while I try to pay it back! However, this is a sign that I really want to take printmaking more seriously and develop further as an artist. Having made this investment, I am even more determined to set aside the time necessary to work on my projects.
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