Medium: Etching, collagraph, relief, chine-collé
Dimensions: 9 3/4 x 7 3/4 inches
Signature: Signed
Artist details: Japanese, 1967
Date finished: 1998
Edition: of 30

Recommended by Nikki (Fine Print Photographer & Content Publisher):

"Collagraph is a medium that became popular in the ‘60s after synthetic adhesives and plastics became more readily available. Artists from all over the world were invited to visit the studio of Glen Alps in Seattle, WA to try out the process of gluing substrates, scribing marks into the dried substrates, and printing the results as intaglio plates. This relatively new medium has continued its popularity  in the studios of contemporary artists, like Akiko Taniguchi. In ‘Atom’, Taniguchi is using texture and layering on her collagraph to pull the viewer into her 10x8 inch world of abstraction. In it, viewers get to explore the word ‘atom’ within complimentary red and green hues and explosive almond shapes. Every square inch of the print is delightfully filled with new and interesting textures that only collagraph can offer."

Recommended by Nikki (Fine Print Photographer / Marketing and Digital Content Specialist):

Takeda’s depiction of the death card is filled with eyes wide open, including on the intense central figure with their hands gracefully crossed, staring straight back at the viewer. In tarot, drawing the death card isn’t always a bad thing. Death is a normal part of life and can mean a new beginning as well as an end to something. As the year winds closer to its own death, this etching is a reminder to be alert and conscious about what in our own lives needs to come to a close and what could use more of our energy. 

Series: Troublesome Stories
Medium: Etching, aquatint
Dimensions: 6 1/4 x 6 1/4 inches (image) 11 3/4 x 11 3/4 inches (sheet)
Signature: Signed
Artist details: Japanese, 1986
Date finished: 2010
Edition: of 15

Series: Holes for Loneliness Games
Medium: Etching, aquatint
Dimensions: 10 1/4 x 10 1/2 inches (image) 15 1/2 x 15 3/4 inches (sheet)
Signature: Signed
Artist details: Japanese, 1986
Date finished: 2012
Edition: of 20

Recommended by Nikki (Fine Print Photographer & Content Publisher):
"The level of technical detail in this etching is intricate - from each character’s particular facial expression to the curtains, hanging plants, mirror, and archway tile designs. Takeda is so good at taking simple everyday things like drinking coffee at a coffee shop and turning them into interesting shadow box scenes. The viewer can’t help but look at each of the people in this crowded room and wonder what they are all thinking behind their wide eyes. The only character not looking at one another or at themselves in the mirror is the person directly in front of the viewer. Rather than participating in the gossip or chatter, this person is rolling their eyes and looking up at the ceiling, while they drink their coffee."