Frequently Asked Questions

Questions and Answers About Mt. Nebo Gallery and The Art of Will Moses

Prints, Serigraphs or Etchings?
One of the most frequently asked questions pertains to the difference between the various graphics we offer. Simply stated, it may be best to say that each process results in a fine art print. But like trees, a pine is different from a maple is different from an elm, so, serigraphs, prints, posters and etchings are different from each other. All are images printed on paper and now, even on canvas, yet how the particular print is made, makes the difference in its final appearance.

Serigraphs
Serigraphs, you might say are “built”. Each color is individually laid down; one at a time, on the paper or canvas just as was done when the original was painted. This may require 80, 90, 100 or more colors to complete, each individually squeezed through a silk screen template onto the waiting paper. The result is an entirely hand made graphic image that has many of the qualities of an original painting.

A Word About Serigraphs
I have been offering serigraphs for several years now, during which time collectors have come to appreciate the rich colors and painterly qualities this form offers. Serigraphs are made individually, by hand, using a silk screen process (no printing press is used). This method involves layering color upon color, (usually between 60 to 90 individual colors) using precise yet delicate accuracy to capture all the color and detail my work contains. Throughout the printing process the colors are carefully matched and blended to form graphic images which are extraordinary in their craftsmanship and beauty. Serigraph printing is not inexpensive and consequently we must charge more for them. Please note however, that the edition sizes are small. I am confident that you will be as pleased with serigraphs as I am.

Canvas Editions
Some serigraphs are also available as limited canvas editions as well as paper editions. Each is a small, strictly limited edition, separate and distinct from the paper edition. Each image is a hand pulled serigraph, silk screened directly on to a fine artist canvas. These are not canvas transfers. Each image is shipped in its own custom box, has been pre-stretched and mounted on stretcher bars and is ready for custom framing. Every image has been personally signed, numbered and titled by Will Moses. The canvas edition closely resembles the original art, not only in appearance but also in form. These images are truly remarkable and as with everything in this catalog, your satisfaction is assured.

Prints
The making of what we describe as “prints” involves the use of considerably more machinery. Our printer strives to meet a high standard, using a very fine screen designed for fine art reproduction. The process begins with the original painting being electronically scanned and the resulting image being proofed, corrected and transferred to printing plates, which in turn deliver the appropriate ink to the right spot to reproduce the image on a printing press. Essentially our posters are made using the same method as our prints the exception being the paper is a different variety, it is in poster format and the edition is usually open or unlimited.

Etchings
Etching is one of the oldest, most basic, and yet intricate art printing processes. In its simplest form the artist uses a metal plate coated with a tar-like varnish into which the artist engraves the design he or she is trying to achieve. This process begins with the simplest and boldest lines being "scratched" through the varnish and "drawn" into the plate. This is followed up by bathing the plate in nitric acid and burning the metal away with the acid. This basic etching process is repeated a number of times, each time varying slightly, naturally depending on the image that is being attempted. During this ongoing process some areas will be blocked out to prevent further etching, and other areas will be targeted for more intense etching. The plate will be burnished, finished and refined so that in the end the surface has an appearance that is somewhat reminiscent of a coin face. Once the plate is completed, printing can commence. The paper is dampened in order to be flexible enough to contour to the highs and lows of the plate, it is then placed on the inked, etched plate and rolled through a press marrying the ink to the paper and leaving the newly created image behind.

Etchings are made by using a steel plate that has been “etched” to the mirror image of the original image. Using scribes, acids and blocking methods, the steel plate is slowly shaped to an appearance much like that of a coin. When complete, the plate is inked and impressed into a sheet of very soft paper leaving the desired impression forever imprinted. The result is usually limited in color range, however, I often times will paint in colors individually on each etching, if I feel it is needed. Usually, etchings are done in very small editions.

Artist's Proofs
In addition to the regular stated edition size number, each serigraph, lithograph and etching edition has a separate artist's proof edition. The size of this edition is always 10% of the regular edition. (10% of an edition of 450 for example would result in an A.P. edition of 45).

Artist's proofs are a long standing tradition in printmaking. Originally this was how artists derived part of their compensation for their art, as the primary edition was owned and sold by the publisher. From a print collector's view, A.P.'s are highly desirable as they are considered to be directly from the artist's personal collection. We usually have some of these artist's proofs available in limited quantities. There is no difference in the quality between the A.P.'s and the regular edition. Each artist's proof is designated specifically as an artist's proof and has been personally signed, numbered and titled by Will Moses. Those artist's proofs available for sale cost 20% more than the prices posted for the regular edition.

Collectors
Collectors often ask which printing technique is better or which image they should buy. My answer is the same today as it was 25 years ago. Buy the one YOU like. You are the person who will live with it and the one who will hopefully enjoy it. Don’t buy art as an investment. Do buy it because it is meaningful to you, because it is good for your soul and it makes you happy. I think you will find that all of my editions are fairly small in size and if collecting is important to you they are potentially highly collectable by virtue of their scarcity.

In the end, knowing more about how a graphic art print is made probably does not help much in making the final choice of which one to buy. I always recommend that people buy whichever one makes them the happiest. It is unlikely you will ever derive as much pleasure from the printing process as you will from the art itself.

Whether you choose print, serigraph, etching or poster, we want you to enjoy your selections. We have been working very hard here at Mt. Nebo to insure that you, the art buyer, are always satisfied!

Size
The size indicated for each image is the printed area only and does not include the border space at the edges.

Edition Size
All graphics are done in specified edition sizes. Posters are open editions. Lithographs, prints, serigraphs and etchings are done in small, specified, one-time limited editions.

* Very limited quantity available - This designation before a title signifies that we have approximately 1/3 or less of the edition available in inventory at the time of this printing.

The Mt. Nebo Gallery Guarantee
We guarantee satisfaction. If you are not satisfied, neither are we. If you receive something that disappoints you in any way, please return it for exchange or refund within 45 days of purchase.

Color On Our Web Site or In Our Printed Catalog
While we are very proud of our web site and catalog quality, please be aware that the colors displayed can be only representational of the art. The catalog is commercially printed, naturally slight variations may occur and therefore, may not always accurately reflect the high quality of the graphics. The graphics used on our web site need to be highly compressed to allow downloading and display in your computer's browser, and although we take care to photograph or scan our images carefully, variations in color are inevitable.

The Philosophy Behind This Art

• To deliver high quality, distinctive folk art to collectors at fair prices, using the best materials and processes appropriate to the art
• Keep edition sizes small, unique and collectable
• A minimal use of high toned sales language
• Offer personalized service to all our collectors and dealers

If there are ever any questions or problems, please let us know, and we will do our best to help you.