Genesis I 

Charles S. Klabunde created this print, "Genesis I," using a process called etching. An etching is made by covering a metal plate with a waxy, acid-resistant substance, then drawing an image into that coating with a sharp needle. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the metal where it has been exposed by the drawing. The plate is then inked and pressed against a sheet of paper, transferring the image. The fine lines and subtle gradations you see are a direct result of this meticulous process. The term "etching" implies the chemical process of using acid to erode the plate. But there’s also the hand-drawn quality, the gestures of Klabunde’s hand, and the way he has composed the image. These bring the traditions of botanical illustration and the fine arts together. Consider how the artist is using a relatively reproducible medium to communicate something deeply personal, that is, a highly individualized vision of the genesis of life itself. The making of this print is fundamental to its meaning.