Jack Beal, The Dark Pool
Medium: Intaglio print, line etching and aquatint
Initial processing and proofing: 1981, by Jennifer Melby
Edition pulled: 2004, by Roger Bailey
Ink and paper type: Bone black ink on Hahnemuhle bright white
Edition size: 50
Signed: in pencil, lower right
Image Size: 8.85" x 11.85"
Paper Size: 15" x 18"
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The Dark Pool refers to a special place on the Jack Beal and Sondra Freckelton farm where the Ouleout Creek runs into the deep woods. In the middle ground, just to the right of the tree, Jack has included an image of himself fly-fishing for trout, looking back into the light. In 1980, Jack had made a large (40" x 60") pastel drawing of this scene, illustrated in Eric Shane's 1993 book titled Jack Beal.
A Closer Look ... The Dark Pool
First state proof, line etching only.
The completed copper plate after it has been steel faced to protect the aquatints.
Close-up of the completed plate.
Detail from a finished print revealing the line etching and several aquatint tones.
Roger Bailey inspects one of the prints in the edition of "The Dark Pool."
Jack signing the edition, April 28, 2005.
Jack's signature, lower right, with detail of the aquatint tones.