What is Giclée?

Once upon a time, painters had only a couple of choices when it came to marketing their artwork.

• Sell only their originals.
• Sell their houses/cars and use the money to make a limited edition print of and original, then hope and pray 

They could sell all those prints in order to use the profits to reproduce another painting, continuing the vicious cycle of reinvesting all their income into a mercilessly hypothetical outcome called "potential success."

Today there is an alternative. It's called a fine art digital reproduction print - otherwise known as Giclée.

Concentrate on learning to pronounce this word correctly. (It's "zhee-clay," with the accent on the second Syllable). As the market evolves clarification of its meaning and significance in the art world emerged.

At the moment, there is only a vague consensus as to what a Giclée truly is. Add to that the disconcerting factoid that one of the fastest growing branches of the graphic arts tree is the manufacture and use of digital high resolution printing equipment and you've got yourself a hurricane waiting to happen.

Experts from many fields - including conventional and digital printmakers, photographers, scientists and artists are applying both the technology and its definitions in various ways. Furthering this already snarled collection of mindsets are the pocket groups who use unconfirmed terms in their web sites or national mailing information. 

Catch phrases quickly resemble trademarks... buzz words come and go... or don't go... and relative chaos can ensue, leaving either confusion or stoic (yet unstable) resolve in its turbulent wake.

But Wait!  The good news far outweighs the other stuff. Especially where Irelock Imaging is concerned.

As a fine artist, Irelock's Olivia "Livvy" Schemanski has spent years seeking ways to capitalize on her talent while avoiding exploitation. In other words how could her images sell without selling her out?

Suffice it to say that this girl does enough homework for all of us. From studying the masters and their techniques, to researching the newest technology, to grasping critical items like how colors and copyrights work,  Olivia makes it her business to know the art business.

Here's the good news, as promised

• Our philosophy is that art should last for future generations to experience and cherish.
• Our papers and inks meet the highest quality and longevity standards.
• Our Epson stylus pro 10000 printer incorporates the best high resolution piezo print technology available.
• We professionally master and print your artwork to your specifications.
• "Print-on-Demand" capability allows us to help promising artists get a foot in the limited edition door at drastically reduced expense compared to other printing methods.
• That means you can profit nearly immediately - contrary to what happens with a conventional limited edition print run.
• There you have it. The Giclée expose. The poop grouped. The word un-blurred. It's really not that tough to understand once you realize that this is some door-opening technology and that you can have it too. 

Is it time to say happily ever after now? Pretty much.

To contact Irelock or Olivia Schemanski please call 541-608-6133 or email irelock@charter.net.