A luminous figure in the realm of Western American art, Ed Mell masterfully fuses contemporary aesthetics with the rich tapestry of the American Southwest.
Drawing upon the dramatic landscapes and timeless expansiveness of our region, Mell’s work is characterized by bold colors, stark contrasts, and a palpable energy that brings to life the raw beauty of the land. Trained in both commercial art and fine art, Mell’s unique perspective captures not only the physical attributes of the Southwest but also its emotion, spirit, and ever-evolving story.
This picture before you, Camelback Mountain, is a lithograph print. Printmaking is an art form that involves creating artworks by transferring an image from a matrix (such as a woodblock, metal plate, or lithographic stone) to a sheet of paper or other material. This process allows artists to produce multiple copies of their work, termed as prints.
One special type of print in this process is the “printer’s proof.” This is a test print made by the artist or printmaker to check the quality and appearance of the image. It serves as a reference to ensure consistency and quality in the final edition. Printer’s proofs are typically kept separate from the numbered edition and are often retained by the artist or printmaker for their records. The piece you are now looking at is a printer’s proof, as signaled by the pencil marks in the lower left corner and the creators’ fingerprints in the paper’s margins.
Learn more about Ed Mell and his affinity for Arizona landscapes in this short video:
