Frame to Frame: Working with Stephen Fitzgerald, Printer
Editing a photo in preparation to send to the printer.
In early May of 2021, I joined the St. Augustine Beach Art Gallery and needed to find a local printer to prepare two shots for the First Friday gallery art show. Many of the artists in this co-op were using Stephen Fitzgerald, a photographer and printer with a long history of experience. To my surprise, he lived less than two miles from me in the same St. Augustine South neighborhood where I live, walk and shoot most of my photos. Stephen is quick witted, has a wicked sense of humor, charming and lives with an adorable woman that I instantly learned to love as much as him. In less than a week, we were off and running. He can print on fine art paper, canvas, tile, glass and metal. I spent some time studying his process and learning how to take a photo from “frame to frame,” from my camera to a finished piece of art. I often say that CONNECTION is like oxygen to me, meaning that I thrive on personal connections and building relationships. I would not have been happy working strictly online or with a printing process that felt impersonal. The universe answered that need with someone so close by I could walk to his home studio, and someone that felt instantly like a longtime friend.
Stephen has an Epson Inkjet 9570 printer, a 12 cartridge and the latest version they make. He has a sharp eye for composition and has helped me rethink how to line up a shot in my camera frame with the framing process in mind.
Stephen keeps his cost down by getting me to plan ahead by size, to do two large or three small prints per canvas. My fledgling art business has stretched my vision to include the understanding of his printing process in all decisions made.
Teaching me how to prepare the block to mount a new canvas. He uses a lightweight “kit” of bars and stretchers that make hanging the canvas print on a wall a cinch!
Cutting the canvas to fit the frame.
Stephen keeps me smiling with puns and jokes.
Folded in, glue used on the bars for a snug and permanent fit, then staples used to close the corners. Stretcher bars are added to further strengthen the corners.
This bluebird male a commissioned piece. My upcoming blog will feature the relationship we have with this bird who lives in our yard and has raised two clutches of babies this spring. If you are interested in working with Stephen Fitzgerald for any printing needs here is his contact information:
The Printer FITZ sushifitz1@gmail.com 561-274-2244 St. Augustine, FL 32086
Photos by Russell Watkins
