The limestone used in Stone Lithography comes from Solnhofen, a nearby town famous for its fossil-rich stone, formed from by special conditions in that area 150 million years ago during the Jurassic period. I was went on a tour the Solnhofen quarries with a paleontologist, where I saw preserved fossils of soft-bodied creatures like jellyfish and markings left by ammonites. The layers of limestone, shaped over millions of years, felt deeply connected to the process of Stone Lithography—both involve a preservation of marks over time.

The two-week residency allowed me to work at Lithographie-Werkstatt Eichstätt, where I created drawings and prints. At the end of the residency I had an exhibition in the studio and gave a talk all hosted by Li who runs the studio. In preparing for this talk I reflected on my Stone Lithography journey from quitting my job in Covid to return to study, going to New Mexico to learn more about the technique and then finding out about different opportunities such as this residency through contacts I had made along the way.

At the end of the residency, several of my works were chosen to be added to the Stone Lithography archives at the university. This residency was a rare chance to engage with a technique that blends art, history, and geology in such a meaningful way. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to this tradition and for the lasting impact it will have on my practice.