I don’t know how the rest of the country is faring, but Connecticut has had just about all the snow it needs… we’re praying to the snow gods to quit already! We’ve got icicles that go practically to the ground and the daily dig-out is not fun. The prettiness of snow-covered landscapes lost its allure after about 10 minutes of shoveling.
So I’m spending my time in the studio planning some new projects and I recommend it to you, too. Just like the gardeners who are drooling over seed catalogs this time of year, artists should be planning some enlightening and challenging projects as well. Just to spur a little inspiration I have held some demos recently to show both experienced and beginning artists that there are many ways to make prints. Hopefully one will take root!
Here is a list of 15 Reasons to Make Monotypes… maybe one will inspire you to get going as well.
1. Making a Print is more than making a reproduction of an image, it is the “hand of the artist”
2. Creativity is challenged by the process of trial and error
3. Mixing inks and proofing colors teaches your eye to see subtle color nuances
4. The tactile quality of ink printed in layers produces an active dimensional surface
5. Potential for using mixed media techniques for added interest and lively image
6. It’s all about the process as well as the result
7. There is Magic in watching the colors and shapes appear on the paper
8. Easy to make changes and manipulate the image as it develops
9. Possible to incorporate the imperfections of the process into the art (“happy accidents”)
10. Seeing the image in reverse gives a fresh view of the composition
11. It’s fast and uncomplicated, and reasonably inexpensive to experiment (“it’s only ink”)
12. The possibility of printing “Ghosts” to develop into new images
13. Working directly with ink adapts to individual style (sketchy, painterly, broad color fields…)
14. Requires very few tools or special skills, accessible to all ages
15. Few restrictions on size of potential prints, from postage stamps to murals… anything you can do in paint you can do in prints!
If you have anything to add to this list I’d be thrilled to hear it. It’s time to get out of the cabin and into the sunlight!
Yours in ink!
Martha