Susan James is an artist who’s studio practice centers on historical and alternative photomechanical printmaking. Though she holds a BA in Art, her printmaking journey began through an etching workshop with artist David Hunter (FL), eventually leading her to squeeze her first etching press into a one-bedroom apartment kitchen. Over three decades, Susan balanced her printmaking practice with a demanding career in cybersecurity, leaving corporate life in 2023 to dedicate herself full-time to her art. The analytical rigor of her tech background perfectly prepared her for the exacting nature of her studio and darkroom practice.

What fascinates Susan most is the crossover between modern digital equipment and centuries-old print processes. Her practice follows a deliberate dual path: preserving the 19th-century Talbot-Klíč copperplate photogravure method while simultaneously leveraging modern polymer Direct-to-Plate workflows. This precise combination of digital technology and historic hand-printing is applied to diverse subject matter, ranging from contemporary wildlife and atmospheric landscapes to personal narratives exploring memory and family legacy.