Debra Riffe
Artist, Printmaker
Birmingham, Alabama
“I own two CONRAD presses. I’d never owned a press nor had I used one in over a decade. I wanted the best. My decision to buy a CONRAD Press was based on the legible, detailed specs that were available on the company’s website. From my initial set up, to this day, all of my printing has been effortless and trouble-free. The E-12, delivered in 2009, was my workhorse until I moved up to a larger press.
Soon after I had ordered my E-18 I realized that I needed to have the press, in my studio and operational, weeks before the appointed delivery time. I spoke with the owner of CONRAD Machine Company. He accommodated my request and facilitated an early delivery date. I do not believe that I would have received the same consideration from any other manufacturer. I’ll never trade or sell my two tabletop CONRAD presses. Both presses have been quality investments that I’ve made for my growing studio. “
– Debra Riffe,
Artist/ Printmaker
Bio
-B.F.A. Howard University,
College of Fine Arts, in Washington, DC
Artist Statement
I’m a native of Tupelo, Mississippi however I’ve called Birmingham, Alabama “home” for fourteen years. I received my B.F.A. from Howard University, College of Fine Arts, in Washington, DC. I’ve traveled extensively and lived in Barranquilla, Colombia, South America for five years. I’m a professional graphic designer and I’ve work in both the private and public sectors.
My linoleum block relief prints reflect my love for the South and all things southern. The majority of my compositions depict singular, figurative images of African Americans placed in rural settings of the American South. I’ve been the recipient of numerous awards and I’ve taught block printing locally and regionally.
In 2013, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Civil Rights, an exhibition of my linoleum block relief prints will travel throughout the South. The selected images will honor the activists and Foot Soldiers of 1963 who participated in the Birmingham “Children’s Crusade” –a pivotal moment in the history of Civil Rights.
Prints
“i learnt to sing a glad new song“
– 20″ x 14″
– Linoleum block relief
– Printed on a Conrad E-18 etching press
– Riffe Studio in Birmingham, AL
“tug-o-war”
– 13.5″ x 18″
– Linoleum block relief
– Printed on a Conrad E-18 etching press
– Riffe Studio in Birmingham, AL
“walk, in the direction you goin’ in”
– 17″ x 11″
– Linoleum block relief
– Printed on a Conrad E-18 Etching Press
– Riffe Studio in Birmingham, AL
“satch”
– 14″ x 20″
– Linoleum block relief
– Printed on a Conrad E-18 etching press
– Riffe Studio in Birmingham, AL
“composite of civil rights activists”
– Linoleum block relief
– Printed on a Conrad E-18 Etching Press
– Riffe Studio in Birmingham, AL
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