Artist Statement
I am a Minneapolis born and raised book artist and printer, creating artist books, prints and broadsides—mostly. I also bind journals, and print cards and ephemera. I do this work under the moniker Blue Valentine Press. I now live in Austin, Texas.
In the little back bedroom I print from linoleum and polymer on an antique sign press. I also screen print with a Gocco. It's all sorta low-tech and I like that. When I have an opportunity I love to print letterpress on an old Vandercook Proof Press.
I work spontaneously, experimenting with results, often layering various techniques and types of ink into a single piece. I am interested in exploring the visual effects of this layering and the resulting texture on the page.
My Artists Books are collected in special collections and libraries nationally. Most of my work is available for purchase here, or in various galleries and online venues (see my links).
—Beth Carls, January 2008
