Artist Statement
Making monotypes and monoprints (and I dare say all printmaking) includes a large element of surprise. The artist is creating an image on a plate and when it prints, the print will be a reverse image, or mirror image of what was on the plate- so, what was on the left side of the plate will be on the right side of the print. It can be a tricky process, plus as I learned from my artist father, "If you want to see your mistakes, hold your art up to a mirror. You will see all your problems." That is just one way in which printmaking can be a challenge. It can also be an exciting surprise when you lift that print off the press and you realize you have something good.
If I had to pick only one element that informs my creative process, it would be color. I find the endless array of colors in the world exciting. Bright colors, cool colors, pale colors and deeply saturated colors- I find them all beautiful. I remember as a young girl that nothing was more fun than getting a new box of 64 colors of Crayola Crayons. There were so many beautiful colors to use and just when I thought I couldn’t be happier with all my colors, Crayola increased the number of colors to 96! Heaven! Later, I would discover mixing colors to make new colors using paint or ink- even more fun!
I grew up in rural upstate New York where I would spend hours exploring the woods and the cliffs around our house looking for some wildflower, rock formation or just some surprise view of my surroundings I hadn’t noticed before. Seeing the same view from a different perspective , a different day, time, or season can change the whole picture. Some of the greatest gifts of nature are the endless array of colors, shapes and forms that surround us every day.
The beauty of nature and all its colors, shapes and forms inform my creative process. Printmaking is my way to use these elements to create an impression, mood, feeling or reaction. It's also my attempt to challenge the viewers perception of what they are seeing.