To make a monotype, one essentially paints an image on sheet of plexiglass, a piece of paper is carefully placed on top and then this 'sandwich' is squeezed through a printing press. The painting transfers to the paper with surprising results. It`s an exercise in non-attachment as the painting will not look like the print, just 'related'. I tried this 30 years ago and wondered why I didn`t just eliminate the whole 'creating through pressure' step and just do a painting. The question remains though I know the answer;
Jason, who claims not to be a painter, dashed this off in moments. That`s why I try.
The idea is to make something spontaneous, send it through the press and see what you got. Hopefully something fresh and spirited like this one by the New Mexican artist Forrest Moses.
Degas did some too!
My friend, the formidable artist Don Gray, turned his studio into a laboratory and invited me, Ruth Armitage, Jim Young and Jason Mayer over to play with this process for a couple of days. Our leader and technical advisor was Jason. He was an extraordinarily patient and thorough instructor and he did not get much of his own work done. This party included a sleepover for Ruth and me and Don`s wife Brenda saw to our nutritional needs. What fun! The experience was carefree much like the plein air painting I do with friends. Such simple intimacy is too rare in my life.
I did it! Finally a painting of Hog Island that feels like the place.
It`s those murky shadows under the trees that get me. In summer, with the oaks leafed out, it is just another green view. The mystery is a winter pleasure.
I have a new friend in Texas! Lorrie McClanahan appeared to me on Instagram and we had a mutual sympathy with each others work. She is fearless as she explores all manner of mediums and materials.
Artist Books are an important part of her practice. Look at this clever way she displays them on an acrylic shelf together;
Instagram, btw, is a direct and effective means of interacting with interesting people/painters. See something you like? Write the artist a thoughtful comment and you`ll most likely hear back from them.
My buddy Ruth Armitage is going to France and will be exploring color in the landscape with a handful of fortunate painters. She told me the other day that there were two spots open. She`s rented a chateau and has experienced, fun guides to whisk everyone from painting locations to villages to wineries to restaurants for seven days. Sounds amazing to me!
This thing is nearly finished! I remember reading about it in an encyclopedia when I was a kid. I couldn`t imagine something taking over a hundred years to build. Guess it could. Probably won`t be open for worship in my lifetime but it`s getting close!
In this photo you can see the final central towers emerging. How incredibly exciting!
The architect, Antoni Gaudi, is a universally beloved artist. His designs are so rich in imagination, they delight the child and stun the adult.
April 16 is the deadline for applications for an artist in residency at the phenomenally nurturing Sitka Center. Trust me I`ve been one, this place is magic! The campus sits upon Cascade Head, a geological marvel that juts out into the Pacific. It is so pristine and healthy, it is a protected UNESCO site. Safe for introverts too, no communal anything!
Here are some photos I took in 2014;
The wonderful Marcia Burtt Gallery in Santa Barbara California is featuring an online exhibition of my work on paper. Please check it out!
work for sale in my studio
Prints from Fine Art America
6 comments:
How much do I love those books by Lorrie? Lots, that's how much! Just what I needed to see this morning to be a little bit revived. Than you!
What a fun time you must have had at the sleepover. I love monoprints but really lack the imagination for them. Jason's prints are wonderful.
You know, I can't pass a creekbed or "murky" area as you say without thinking about your work. They are always Randall spots to me:)
Hope all is well. Thank you for the post.
Libby
Your posts are always so packed with things I respond positively to, I hardly know where to start. I find myself a bit overwhelmed and just nodding yes, yes, yes. But today even I am in there! Thank you, Randall.
I’ve only done a couple of monoprints but did love the somewhat unpredictable results. I don’t have a press, but I use frottage a lot. It’s a similar process: you paint on one piece of paper, then press and rub it to another piece. You get beautiful broken marks or squishy carefree blobs. Max Ernst is credited with creating the technique in the 1920s. I’ve seen his in person and they are amazing.
I’ve read about Sitka and seen works produced there for years. What a privilege you were there...for them, as much as for you. And your group of artist friends who gathered to monoprint sounds like the perfect setting for introverts. A new technique, no pressure, and an opportunity to commune with like minds. I have to be blasted out of my comfort zone but even I could handle, and enjoy, that.
you're a natural at the monotypes! you can also use posterboard sealed with matte medium instead of plexiglass, add all sorts of stuff for texture like sand, string, through the printing press. sounds like fun!
Love this post. I have never tried monoprints though have thought about it. Love yours.
The online show is wonderful - the skies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Feeling like Gerard myself today.
You have given us so much to view and study in this post!! My favorite of the monoprints you've done is the grey one - funny, I love the color in your usual paintings but sometimes there is something so visually interesting and calming in those black/white/grey paintings you sometimes do. Makes me want to get out the printmaking stuff and play again - maybe later. What a great time to be able to work with a few other artists who are learning together while still exploring techniques and materials!!
Oh, I forgot - the online showing = FANTASTIC!!!
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