Morning 

Levon West created this artwork by using a technique called etching, a printmaking process that dates back centuries. The image begins with a metal plate, usually copper, coated with a waxy, acid-resistant substance called a ground. West then draws his composition through the ground, exposing the metal. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed lines, creating grooves. Once the ground is removed, the plate is inked, and the surface wiped clean, leaving ink only in the etched lines. Finally, the plate and a sheet of paper are run through a press under high pressure, transferring the image onto the paper. The beauty of etching lies in its ability to capture fine detail and subtle tonal variations, which you can see in the delicate reflections of the boats on the water and the hazy atmosphere of the morning light. West's expert manipulation of this process speaks to a deep understanding of both the technical and artistic possibilities inherent in printmaking. The image itself is a testament to human labor, and is suggestive of the relationship between our species and the sea.