By Alison Oldham Printmaking, in particular etching, is sometimes thought a cabbalistic process as it involves heat, metal, corrosive acids, pressure and time. But there s nothing mysterious about Monica Petzal s success in selling fine art prints at Pri

By Alison Oldham

Printmaking, in particular etching, is sometimes thought a cabbalistic process as it involves heat, metal, corrosive acids, pressure

and time.

But there's nothing mysterious about Monica Petzal's success in selling fine art prints at Printroom in Hampstead village.

Opened in November in a modest space, it offers a diverse selection of covetable prints, many by local artists, that indicate her discerning judgement.

A moody study of the Gaumont State, Kilburn, by Hampstead artist Pat Schaverien is an example of well-established local talent.

The thought-provoking print pictured illustrates the fresh approach of Adam Bridgland of Finsbury Park, newly graduated from the Royal College of Art.

Three prints that caught my eye in the selection folio turned out to be by north Londoners - Barbara Jackson, of Hampstead Garden Suburb, Vicky Philosoph, of Queen's Park, and Ellen Kuhn Charap, of Highgate.

For the last 12 years Monica has been the director of the Foundation for Women's Art. Its current touring show, Uncanny Tales, includes Marcelle Hanselaar, who has a special exhibition at Printroom now.

Monica Petzal trained as a painter and recently did an MA in printmaking at Camberwell.

She welcomes questions about technical matters and her artists' work.

o Prices range from £100 to £700 with most between

£200 and £300. This week Printroom opens daily 11.30am-5pm, closing at

end of business on

Christmas Eve until

January 13. See also www.printroomlondon.com.