Mel Fleck & Jan Fleck

All our etchings are original compositions; none are copies of ancient paintings or tomb drawings. The cumulative knowledge gained from over twenty years of travel and study allows us to present original scenes in a historically-accurate yet completely new way. By learning how the Egyptians and other cultures used color, design and dimension, we have developed guidelines for converting our own ideas into correct representations of ancient beliefs, ways of life and aspirations.

The initial design of all our images is a collaborative effort which sometimes requires months, or even years. Upon completion of the design, Jan etches the images onto a zinc plate using nitric acid. Mel thinks inks; hand rubs and pulls each image from the plate. Finally, either Jan or Mel hand-colours the etching using acrylic washes.

As you view our work, remember that all our etchings are hand-pulled, embossed and individually painted. No photographic plates or processes are used in any stage of your artwork. This guarantees the uniqueness of our images, as the colors and the tones will differ between each one.

Each etching is also accompanied by one or more information sheets. These explain the symbolism and the stories which we are depicting.

Our artwork reflects who we are and what we believe. When our images appeal to another person, it provides the basis for a genuine connection between us. Because we want that connection to be worthwhile, we attempt to make our artwork both visually attractive and symbolically meaningful.