Inspired
artist statement
Enhanced by printmaking’s history of narrative, my work explores the shared histories of humans, as told by animals. These compositions are full of animals within animals, a reference to animal cognition and spirits within animal bodies. Personal narrative is woven with mythical symbols and stories which make these pieces both familiar and challenging. Animals have no race, religion, or creed, can be as easily feminine as masculine or somewhere in between. Therefore, they can tell universal stories which weave anthropology, art history, and spirituality – our shared humanness – better than their human counterparts. In our ever changing and sometimes frightful present day, we need to be reminded of the universality of all things, including the human race.
process
Relief engraving & mixed media printmaking
I make traditional hand pulled prints called "relief engravings.” They are in the block print or relief family of printmaking, which refers to two surfaces, one lower than the other, so that the highest surface prints. I hand carve each image with small but tough tools called burins, or gravers. The remaining surface is rolled with ink and pressed through the printing press. Each print taken from the plate is part of an edition, and numbered. My limited editions are always under 100 since they are inked and cranked by hand on my printing press.
Many of my colorful pieces are called “Mixed Media Monoprints.” Since these pieces combine unique processes such as traditional drawing and painting methods, they are one of a kind (mono), and they contain elements of the printmaking process (print), hence mixed media monoprints.
Multiple plates are inked and printed, then cut carefully and collaged in compositional formation. The result is a delicate and detailed mixed media artwork
