PrintFest

I think my first experience with printmaking was in Junior High. My studio practice is currently located somewhere between drawing, painting and printmaking. Drawing is the foundation of most printmaking techniques and my favorite part is making the matrix. I’m drawn to alternative processes; lately I’ve been experimenting with large Tetra Pak plates pieced together with packing tape.

Miles DeCoster is a contemporary printmaker known for his distinctive style, which combines traditional printmaking techniques with a modern artistic sensibility. He creates detailed, intricate works, often using woodcut, linocut, and other printmaking methods to explore themes like nature, human figures, and the interplay between light and shadow. His works often feature an intense focus on form, texture, and the tactile nature of the print medium, emphasizing craftsmanship and artistic expression.

DeCoster’s approach to printmaking is rooted in a deep appreciation for the process itself. His prints often possess a dynamic, almost sculptural quality, thanks to the way he uses lines and shapes to create a sense of movement and depth. Whether depicting abstract concepts or more figurative representations, his prints are marked by their precise, deliberate use of negative space and bold contrasts.

BFA Washington University School of Fine Arts, 1972

MFA School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 1979

Joey Strain, born in 1998, is an illustrator, printmaker, and graphic designer based in Reading, PA. His work, no matter the medium or purpose, focuses on looking as traditionally handmade as possible. Every brushstroke, blob of ink, or hand-carved line is as clearly & obviously full of beautiful human imperfection as can be. Joey’s subject matter is whimsical, absurd, and comedic in tone, and usually at least loosely based in nature. Through his delightful abstractions of both actual & imagined critters, Joey brings to life fantastical scenes of characters that hope to toe the line between creepy and cute.

Joey has had three illustrated books published, and has self published many of his own zines. His work has been displayed in galleries located around south east PA, and is sold at small businesses across the country. He runs his own block printing business from his home studio, producing hundreds of hand printed shirts, tote bags, and more for customers internationally each year.

Instagram: @joey_strain

Portfolio: strain-brain.com

Colin Pezzano, born in 1992, is a woodworker and printmaker based in South Philadelphia. His practice combines digital and hand processes to infuse humor, pathos, and memory into his chosen materials. With over a decade of working experience in academia and fabrication, Pezzano blends conceptual thinking with technical experimentation.

During his career Pezzano has participated in group shows, juried exhibitions, and attended residencies in the USA and Sweden. He maintains his practice in his basement studio.

instagram: @colinpezzano

Portfolio: www.colinpezzano.com

Michael L. Miller is a multifaceted artist and educator, whose journey began at Kutztown University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design. Returning to Kutztown for his teaching certification, he devoted 28 years as an art teacher in Berks County Public schools, working with students across both elementary and high school levels. Furthering his artistic pursuits, Miller obtained a Master of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute, College of Art in Baltimore, exhibiting his work in both galleries and art centers in the Philadelphia region as well as Berks County.

Over the past two decades, Miller has been a driving force in community engagement, collaborating with numerous organizations to bring public art projects to life. Drawing inspiration from the renowned Philadelphia Mural Arts Program, he has had an active role in organizing over 50 projects in the greater Reading area. Today, Miller imparts his passion for art and community at Alvernia University, where he works in the Total Experience Learning Institute.  This program inspires teachers and students to look beyond the classroom, where he directs the Community Art Studio at GoggleWorks, a program that unites thousands of individuals of all ages in the creation of transformative public art projects. This innovative initiative reflects Miller’s commitment to fostering creativity and unity, leaving a lasting legacy of art that enriches and connects the community.

https://www.berkscommunitymurals.com/