Sustainable Impressions: Rachel Mentzer’s Collagraphs with Kozo Paper
At Kozo Studio, we are always inspired by how artists incorporate mulberry papers to elevate their creative processes with innovation and sustainability. This commitment to craft and material is evident in the work of Rachel Mentzer, an Ohio-based printmaker and educator who integrates our mulberry (Kozo) papers into her distinctive collagraph printmaking practice.
Rachel’s work explores the intersection of urban and natural environments, often juxtaposing industrial structures with organic imagery such as birds and trees. She creates her collagraph plates from recycled and found materials, including repurposed cardboard boxes. By carving into layers of cardboard, she reveals the negative space of her designs, which are then sealed with polyurethane to function as intaglio plates. This sustainable approach underscores her commitment to environmental consciousness while contributing to the unique texture and depth of her prints.
“Skybound Over Steel” captures the contrast between nature and industry. A flock of birds rises into a textured, atmospheric sky, set against the rigid, towering forms of steel structures and bridges. The layered collagraph textures and chine collé technique on Milano Kozo Paper #1 bring depth and movement, while the inked details highlight the tension between the soaring birds and the engineered landscape.
One key element of Rachel’s process is chine-collé, where she incorporates Kozo Studio mulberry papers to enhance her compositions. During the jurying process for her Ohio Arts Council Individual Excellence Grant, Rachel was advised to explore various types of Kozo papers—guidance that has significantly enriched her artwork. The fibrous texture and exceptional durability of Kozo paper allow her to create delicate yet impactful contrasts, balancing the structured lines of her collagraphs with soft, organic elements.
"Winter Silhouette" A collagraph print on Ombre Kozo Paper #4 showcasing the delicate outlines of bare winter trees set against a gentle gradient sky, where warm shades fade gracefully into cooler tones, creating a serene and moody atmosphere.
“Kozo paper enriches my prints by adding a delicate yet durable quality, creating richer textures and subtle variations that complement the imagery,” Rachel explains. In her chine-collé process, the thin yet strong nature of mulberry paper integrates seamlessly with the base paper, adding translucency and depth while preserving the intricate details of her urban and natural landscapes.
“Drift” A quiet, contemplative scene unfolds as a bare tree releases a flurry of birds into a golden sky. The gold-toned Kozo paper lends a gentle shimmer, shifting with the light and adding a sense of movement to the flock. The delicate textures and subtle contrasts evoke both stillness and motion, as if the birds are caught mid-drift in a fleeting autumn breeze.
Rachel’s prints will be featured at several exhibitions and art festivals this summer, including Artisphere in Greenville, SC, the Columbus Arts Festival, the Lakefront Festival of Art in Milwaukee, WI, the Des Moines Art Festival, and the Ann Arbor Street Art Fair.
We are honored to see Kozo Studio papers play a role in Rachel’s creative journey and look forward to seeing her work continue to inspire!
To explore Rachel Mentzer’s work and view her full portfolio, visit rachelmentzerart.com and follow her on Instagram @rachelmentzerart.
