All of my copper work is etched using a minimally toxic process:
My original drawings are printed to a blank piece of copper and then submersed in a salt water solution. The image piece is connected to a positive terminal, and the negative terminal is connected to a scrap piece of copper. I run a steady current of electricity through this and observe until a nice deep, textured etch is achieved on the exposed copper: my image will not be etched, it is intended to be raised shiny copper. Using a wooden block and mallet, I shape each piece, solder if needed, and then 'fire treat' the metal for a patina finish. Finally, I hand buff the raised image to reveal the shiny copper once more, leaving the etched copper patina as the background. This is finished with a special wax that will protect the patina and shiny copper. The byproducts of this process are a copper salts water which I leave to evaporate. These salts are pigmented brown, red, green and blue in layers. I collect them to use for other art projects in my studio. Nothing is disposed of, sent down the drain that leads directly to the beautiful ocean here on Haida Gwaii. I do not need to special order chemicals for a typical etching studio, I do not need safety equipment...all I need is my imagination. |