Bryce Praught

Bryce Praught first picked up his love for printmaking whilst studying Graphic Design at James Madison University. He tells us; “Screen printing was my favourite because of how fast you could create copies. It also just felt very “designy” for lack of a better word. There’s just something about it I love.” He continues; “That’s really what screen printing is for me; love. I love making something. There’s a part of my identity wrapped up in what I make and when I don’t get to create something cool or fun, whether its at my actual job or outside of work, I feel like I’m missing something.”

Printing in his spare time, it is now Bryce’s primary creative outlet. He heads to the studio early in the morning and prints when nobody is around; “it’s nice and quiet then and there’s all the free space I need”. Bryce’s creative process usually starts with some sort of theme, be it nature, abstract shapes, or even typography. Some of his prints start off as sketches that he then scans into PhotoShop, converts to grayscale, and then throws into illustrator so he can use clipping masks to divvy up the sketch as needed or to colourise. Other prints have started out from ideas he picks up just from daily life; “One idea springs another and I just follow the trail”.

Bryce states; “It’s kind of just, all about having fun and following where things take me, trust the process. I like where organic shapes and messiness aligns with design and organization. It usually works out but I’ve come to know when I’m not feeling it and just need to step away. I try not to force it anymore, the process. That often leads to frustration.”

Creative recharges are important for him too, and when he feels drained of ideas he steps away for a few weeks at a time to let the inspiration return.

Once he has his final artwork put together in Illustrator Bryce then separates out the colour layers, and from there he prints out transparencies and burns them to print.

His materials of choice include 150 & 230 mesh usually on 11×15 or 15×22 Stonehenge paper. “I use those sizes because they are 1/4 and 1/2 of the sheets of paper (22×30),” says the printmaker. For inks, Bryce loves the green galaxy series from Ryonet.

Looking to the future, Bryce hopes to continue pushing his work and making great stuff that people love; “If it excites me that’s a good feeling”.

www.brycepraught.com
@bryce_prints

• Author
• Recent Posts

POP Members

Check out our membership directory and apply to become a Verified POP Member at www.members.peopleofprint.com

Want to know more about our membership? Give us an email at members@peopleofprint.com.

Latest posts by POP Members (see all)

• Carolin Mueller | Exploring Memory, Space, and Sustainability Through Printmaking - December 18, 2024
• D!VE | Hercules and Achelous at Litfass - December 17, 2024
• Good Seed Craft Co. | The Beginner’s Guide to Lino Printing - December 16, 2024