plant & press & print

August 4 - 30, 2016
Fratelli's Cafe Gallery
​Memphis Botanic Garden

Please join me for
an opening reception
Thursday, August 4
from 5:30 - 7:30 pm

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The “mono” in “monotype” is easy to misunderstand. It refers to the end result (a single unique artwork) rather than the process (a single pass through the press). To make the prints in this show, I ran heavy all-cotton paper through the press many times, overlapping colors and layering shapes. Each plant was worked multiple times, sometimes used to cover out ink (creating negative shape) and at other times inked directly (creating a positive image). Thus no two monotypes are alike. Each is its own combination of structured technique and spontaneous organic shapes.

I am thrilled to return to The Memphis Botanic Garden with this show of my newest work. The monotype prints on display reflect a combination of new printing techniques with my long-time inspiration from the beauty and forms of nature.
 
For the past year I have explored printmaking, sparked by a desire to branch into this art form and funded in part by a generous grant from the Charlotte Arts and Science Council.
My monotype printing style grows directly from the mixed media processes that I have used over the years. As I explore, for example, manipulating inks on acrylic printing plates, I also experiment with various found objects – string, metal washers, paper stencils – to add texture, layers, and patterns. The desire for interesting organic shapes led naturally (pun intended!) to my yard, garden, and neighborhood, where fern fronds, leaves, vines, and flowers are gathered to add dimensions of curve, figure, and form to my work.
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Hydrangea leaves, Carolina jasmine vines, Wisteria blossoms and Ginkgo leaves have passed through the press lately, and I am excited to share the results in this show. My monotypes have become an exciting way for me to abstract and record the beauty of my own backyard and the natural world beyond.
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