This summer, VISA undergraduate student Talia Brown has been doing two directed studies courses (VISA 490 and 491) at New Leaf Editions on Granville Island. Working with master printer Peter Braune and studio assistant Seoyeon Kim, she learned a strong set of new skills in printmaking, as well as collaborating directly with artists to make new works. Utilizing the skills learned in taking print classes at UBC (VISA 250, 350, and 351), Talia explored a wide variety of techniques, including multi-block relief printing, letterpress, monoprints, etching, cyanotypes, mezzotints, chine collé, à la poupée, electroplating, photogravure, and many other nuanced processes. She printed two series of etchings for Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, and worked with artists such as Torrie Groening, Leo and Danielle Giannon, Heavenly Monkey, Kasumie Ramirez, Paul Jang, Valerie Durant, Monique Martine and Ghizlane Agzenaï and many more. She has learned about running your own small business and also how to facilitate print workshops and install and take down exhibitions, with her own exhibition opening at New Leaf, Renewal and Collaboration, from September 9 to 30, 2025, with opening reception on September 12, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Talia says about her experience:
“I loved working in a traditional print shop, meeting different artists every day, and problem-solving constantly; there was never a boring day. My favourite part was working with artists Daniel and Leo. The team at New Leaf is amazing; I would often arrive to find a yummy snack waiting for me, and it truly felt like a family. Learning new techniques while working on artist plates was stressful, but I have never worked harder or learned as much in such a short time as I did from Peter and Seoyeon.
Peter once told me, ‘If you can’t fix your mistakes, you shouldn’t be a printmaker.’ That lesson is one I’ll carry with me back to school. Thank you, Peter and Seoyeon, for taking me on this summer. I could not be more grateful. I felt fully integrated into the shop and part of the team. It was truly an amazing experience.”
