Midnight Oil Studio

3/4/2026

Among hundreds of art techniques, a 1,000-year-old art practice of silk screening is still relevant in today’s art world as one artist couple shows by embracing the traditional methods.

Local artists Jonathan and Allison Metzger create traditional prints using a variety of methods in their studio, Midnight Oil Studio and Workshop. 

Silk screen historically was used as a way to transfer images on stretched pieces of silk. Jonathan fashions a reproducible stencil, made of a wood-cut block print, with copper edging. Multiple layers of wood-cut stencils are put on Indian ink and then applied on a canvas or thick paper. Most people aren’t familiar with the history of printmaking.  

“When they see our completed work, they think it’s digital prints,” Allison says. “Even if we have 100 of the same image, it’s technically considered originals as it’s all done by hand.” 

For the process, Jonathan sketches and draws, and then Allison makes suggestions. Allison focuses on colors and mixing dyes. She created a custom color palette specific for their studio. 

“She has a great understanding of colors,” Jonathan explains.

Images of nature find their way into their art pieces. Jonathan says he and Allison gain inspiration anywhere from their travels to their backyard garden. Their latest element is creating glow-in-the-dark prints. Jonathan discovered an ink additive that creates a whimsical glowing artwork. 

“It got us to thinking about the joy of imagination.” Allison says. “For me, growing up and seeing fireflies for the first time at my grandparents’ house was magical. Using that same magic into our own work feels wonderful. It’s a big draw for our artwork.”

The couple each carved separate artist paths since they were young. Allison says she has always been “extremely creative.” 

“There’s no question I would do a career in art,” she says. 

Jonathan illustrated cartoons and narrative comics. When his teacher said he had a “handle on his drawing,” he was encouraged to try printmaking at a local facility. 

“I made my first print, and it was a mind-exploding experience,” he says.

 The pair met as art students in college and collaborated on fun projects. 

“We did it to escape from academia,” Allison recalls. “We created local things to sell, and we really enjoyed it.”

Each focused on teaching careers yet lacked ideal experiences in art education. The pair then returned to their previous collaborations and set up artist booths at local art shows.

Being a married couple and working together challenges their work-life boundaries.

“We’ve gotten better at having separate time and studio time,” she explains. “We are always up for talking about client work.”

If the couple can’t agree on certain elements, they set it aside or will ask social media followers to vote on a favorite. 

“It works well,” she says. “Neither one of us have big egos.”

The hours spent tweaking, observing and interpreting art are why Jonathan loves art. 

“It’s a meditative process and problem-solving nature of art. I can be expressive and persistent,” he says.

Allison says travel provides discovery and inspiration in nature, which is an essential element to her designs. 

“It’s a lovely way to share my experience with the natural world,” she says. “Sharing with others is exciting.”

Find Midnight Oil Studio at www.midnightoilstudioworkshop.com. ♦