May Featured Artist: Rachel Mentzer
Rachel Mentzer | Printmaking, Texture, and the Art of Transformation
The American Frame Artist Spotlight series highlights working artists whose creative vision and craftsmanship demonstrate the power of thoughtful presentation and artistic expression. In this feature, we introduce Rachel Mentzer, a printmaker whose work explores the intersection of nature, material, and process through contemporary collagraph techniques.
Inspired by observation and material, Rachel Mentzer’s print captures the intersection of wildlife and the built environment, presented in a Matte Black DEHA 94 Metal Picture Frame (SPF021).
About the Artist: Rachel Mentzer
For Rachel Mentzer, the path to becoming an artist was not linear, but it was always present.
She developed a strong interest in art early on and was deeply involved in her high school art program. Although she chose not to pursue art immediately as a career, that creative foundation remained.
During the pandemic, Rachel enrolled in a community printmaking workshop, an experience that would reshape her direction. There, she discovered intaglio printmaking and became deeply engaged with its process-driven nature.
“I fell in love with the process, especially intaglio printing,” she explains.
What began as exploration quickly evolved into a dedicated practice. Rachel experimented with materials, developed new techniques, and began participating in art festivals. Over time, she built a cohesive body of work and continues to share it with growing audiences.
A selection of Rachel Mentzer’s collagraph prints explores urban and natural forms through layered texture and line, displayed in American Hardwoods Natural Maple Gallery Frames (206).
A Contemporary Approach to Collagraph Printmaking
Rachel Mentzer’s work is rooted in contemporary collagraph printmaking, a technique that emphasizes texture, layering, and surface.
She creates detailed prints using hand-carved plates made from recycled cardboard and found packaging. These materials become both the structure and the story behind each piece.
Her imagery blends natural subjects, particularly birds and their habitats, with elements of urban and industrial environments. The result is a visual language that feels both organic and constructed.
Her prints are defined by layered surfaces, tactile textures, and a strong graphic sense of line and structure. Each piece reflects a balance between control and discovery, where material plays an active role in shaping the final image.
Inspiration: Nature, Observation, and Material
Rachel’s work is deeply influenced by observation, especially through birdwatching and time spent outdoors.
During the pandemic, she noticed how wildlife adapted to quieter urban environments. That experience continues to inform her imagery, where birds appear within layered spaces that subtly reference human influence.
Her materials are equally important to her process.
Discarded boxes, packaging, and everyday materials are transformed into printmaking plates. These elements serve both a practical and conceptual purpose, reinforcing themes of sustainability and transformation.
Through layered branches and subtle movement, Rachel Mentzer’s triptych reflects her observation-driven process and interest in shifting environments, presented in a Matte Black DEHA 94 Metal Picture Frame (SPF021).
Creative Process: From Field Observation to Print
Rachel’s process begins with observation.
She gathers reference material through birdwatching and photography, then develops compositions through sketching. From there, she translates these images into collagraph plates by carving and shaping recycled cardboard.
Texture is built by removing layers and creating surfaces that hold ink through intaglio techniques.
After sealing the plate, she prints using an etching press. Many of her works incorporate chine collé, using kozo or mulberry papers to introduce subtle color and atmosphere.
Each print is hand-inked, meaning no two impressions are exactly alike. Even within an edition, every piece carries slight variations that reflect the handmade process.
Framing as an Extension of the Artwork
For Rachel Mentzer, framing is an integral part of the artwork, not a final step. It shapes how the piece is experienced, guiding the viewer’s eye while reinforcing the structure and craftsmanship of the print.
For a recent triptych, she approached framing as a way to unify multiple works into a single presentation.
“I selected a frame to showcase my first triptych matted together in a single large frame,” she explains. “I used a Matte Black DEHA 94 Metal Picture Frame to highlight the ink and support the multiple pieces of paper.”
Matting is equally intentional in her work.
“Matting is sized to give the image breathing room and to emphasize the plate mark and paper quality, which are important in the printmaking tradition."
These decisions ensure that both the visual composition and the physical qualities of the print remain central to the viewing experience.
A mix of large and small-scale collagraph prints highlights Rachel Mentzer’s use of texture, color, and composition, with works presented in American Hardwoods Natural Maple Gallery Frames (206).
Framing Materials and Presentation
Rachel’s approach to framing reflects the same principles that guide her artwork: restraint, material awareness, and attention to detail. She is especially drawn to natural hardwood frames, particularly maple finishes.
“They feel warm, contemporary, and versatile across my print series,” she says. “Their simplicity lets the detailed, texture-rich prints stand out.”
Her framing selections are intentional and responsive to each piece. Clean, high-quality materials allow the prints to remain the focus while reinforcing their graphic structure and tactile surface.
For collectors and artists interested in presentation details, her work is often framed using:
Frame: Matte Black DEHA 94 Metal Picture Frame
Frame: American Hardwoods Natural Maple Gallery Frame
Glazing: AAUV - UV Picture Framing Acrylic
These choices emphasize the craftsmanship of the printmaking process, from the plate mark to the paper itself, while supporting long-term preservation.
What Rachel Mentzer Is Working on Next
Rachel is currently developing several new plates, including larger-scale collagraph prints and a new series of smaller square editions.
She is also experimenting with different kozo papers for chine collé, exploring new ways to introduce color and surface variation while maintaining a sustainable approach to materials.
Where to Purchase Rachel Mentzer’s Artwork
Rachel Mentzer’s work is available on her website:
Artist Advice: Let the Work Lead
When asked what advice she would give other artists about framing, Rachel emphasizes intention and consistency.
“Treat framing as part of the artwork, not an afterthought,” she says. “Choose materials that support your concept and craftsmanship and maintain consistency across your body of work. Simple, high-quality framing usually allows the art to speak the loudest.”
Artist Spotlight FAQs
Q. What is intaglio printmaking?
A. Intaglio is a printmaking process where ink is held in recessed lines or textures carved into a surface. The plate is inked, wiped clean on the surface, and then pressed onto paper using an etching press, transferring the ink from the grooves to the paper.
Q. What is a collagraph print?
A. A collagraph is a print created from a textured plate built by layering materials such as cardboard, paper, or found objects. The surface is sealed, inked, and printed, resulting in rich textures and layered imagery that reflect the materials used.
Q. What is an etching press?
A. An etching press is a specialized printmaking tool that uses pressure to transfer ink from a plate onto paper. The plate and damp paper are passed through rollers, allowing the ink in recessed areas to be pressed into the paper.
Q. Why is framing important for printmaking?
A. Framing protects delicate paper-based artwork while enhancing its presentation. Proper matting and framing highlight details such as plate marks, texture, and paper quality, while preserving the print for long-term display.
Where can collectors purchase Rachel Mentzer’s artwork?
Collectors can view and purchase Rachel Mentzer’s work through her website at rachelmentzerart.com and at juried art festivals and gallery exhibitions across the United States.