Christina Rosché

There are many parts to my job as an artist. I am a printmaker and painter. My process involves sketching my ideas into visual images. I then refine and edit these. From there I transfer them to an engraving plate where I engrave the design with chisels. Finally, I print the piece with a printing press.

During the creation stage of my work, I am often inspired by nature. I like to be scientifically accurate about my work as it often involves species of plant, animal, or fungi. I often take walks in the forest, along beaches, or through cities to find inspiration. The most important aspect of this process is to be attentive and curious to what surrounds me. There are often details about the world around us we overlook. After these walks, I research what I have seen to know more about my subject.

I also make custom frames for my pieces. This is a lengthy, multi-step process. I buy the planks of wood from the store. I design and shape them with a router saw and cut them at a 45° angle with a table saw. I then glue them together using clamps. Finally, I sand and varnish them. Woodworking, and especially frame making is all about precision. When I am making these, I have to be sure to take specific measurements and measure a few times before I cut anything.

A large part of my job as an artist is selling the art. Math is needed to keep track of the finances of the business. I have to keep track of everything I have spent along the way. I also have to make sure I price the items correctly so that I earn money for my work.