Grafito’s current project involves testing various types of printmaking techniques, and the raw materials used to create them.

Grafito is originally from Colombia. At a young age, she developed an interest in printmaking. She had been studying art and found she loved making linocuts more than drawing and changed her major.

In 2019, she moved to Minneapolis and has worked as a local artist, including mural painting.

Grafito said now was the perfect time to take part in The Grand residency because it is too cold outside to continue her mural work. It is also a time for her to experiment.

Artist Lynda Grafito stands near the drying rack in The Grand Cellar Press. She said printmaking involve a lot of experimenting and the end product can be a surprise.

She is working on a print series that uses linocut and letterpress printing techniques. Grafito said this is the first time she has used the two printing techniques at the same time. The lino print method involves cutting print blocks from linoleum. Letterpress printing involves using text blocks to add words to the images.

The specific piece Grafito is working on is a poster questioning people’s connection with food. The poster includes prints of different types of corn with the word “Alien” printed over the top of the images. The corn prints were created using the linocut method. The “Alien” is from the letterpress.

Grafito said the word “Alien” is often used to describe non-citizens, but it also used for certain types of food.

She said in the case of corn, people think of the typical yellow sweetcorn, but there are other varieties native to North America, yet the other types of corn are often alienated from conversations.

“It’s like the other don’t really belong, even though they are from here,” she said. “What we do with food, sometimes we do with people.”

Lynda Grafito opens a jar of ink she made with natural dye produced from the bark of a tree.

Grafito tries to incorporate an environmental message in her work, but she also likes to be eco-friendly with the medium she uses. As part of the project, she is also experimenting with natural inks. For half of her print runs, Grafito will be using ink she created from natural dyes. Grafito said she learned the ink-extracting technique from her friend Lucero Panigaua. The dyes she is using this time are taken from avocado seeds and bark from a paubrasilia tree.

Grafito said typically avocado seed will produce a pink ink color, but in this case it turned a shade of brown. Her ink, derived from tree bark, came out a shade of magenta/purple.

Grafito said printmaking was a trial-and-error art. Before a single print is complete, there are test runs and proofs to make sure the different layers are lining up. After each layer of ink is added, there is a waiting process for it to dry.

She said its always something of a surprise how the final product turns out. In this case, the use of natural dye ink was even harder to predict, but she was happy to have the opportunity to experiment in the Cellar Press.

“The Grand has everything I need here,” she said. “It’s nice to have this open for people. The residency allows you to work around your old schedule.”

As part of her residency at The Grand, Lynda Grafito will lead a printmaking activity Saturday, morning. The activity will be Halloween-themed using spooky shaped stencils and stamps she has created. Grafito arranges some of the pre-made Halloween test prints.

In addition to her print work, Grafito will lead a printmaking activity from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Grand. The printmaking activity is part of the downtown Halloween Hop. Grafito has designed some pre-made fall and Halloween themed stencils for use during the printmaking event. The event is for all ages, the activity is free and open to the public. Participants may stop by to make a quick print any time between 10 am and 12 p.m.