“Princeton University

Chapel Window”

collagraph print
Intaglio Printmaking, Spring 2025


For this project, I was inspired by the beautiful chapel at Princeton University, which I visited while on tour with the Messiah University Concert Choir in 2024. I really loved the stained glass windows of this chapel, and the many photos I took of these served as references for this project.

I used a piece of mat board cut to the shape of the window as my matrix for this collagraph. I created the details and textures of the window by collaging pieces of sandpaper, masking tape, painter’s tape, paper towel, textured paper, carborundum powder and glue, and carborundum paste onto the mat board. The horizontal window lines were carved directly into the mat board so that they would be dark. I did all of the window panes first, and then cut all of the lighter outlines out of a single layer of smooth red tape and carefully pressed this on top. I hatched in a few more details with a whistler and x-acto knife, then sealed the entire matrix well with watered-down paste.

reference photo
design drawn on mat board
finished collaged matrix
inspiration for pink & purple print
When the matrix dried, I started by testing it with a single, solid color: light blue. I was happy with the results, so I experimented with other colors, creating numerous artist’s proofs. My favorite version alternates pink and purple ink wiped diagonally across the plate, which mimics light shining through the colorful stained glass. This artist’s proof was inspired by a picture I took at the Princeton chapel, where light from a high window shone pink and purple onto another window below and across from it. I tried to mimic the ambiance of this photo through the shades of pink and purple that I chose. I also did a black print with red, blue, and purple chine-collé flower shapes in the glass. These colors were inspired by colors found in the stained glass that makes up the windows. Finally, I did a print wiped with navy blue etching ink and rolled with beige-colored relief ink, as a nod to the colors of the windows when seen from the outside.

working proof: light blue
etching ink with relief roll: inspired by colors of reference photo
black ink with chine-collé
viscosity roll: various colors
on display in 2025 Student Pop-Up Show




© Kay Reyburn 2025