More Paper Panoramas

Countryside Collage 1- mixed media work on paper

Countryside Collage 2- mixed media work on paper

Countryside Collage 3- mixed media work on paper

Countryside Collage 4- mixed media work on paper It has been almost 2 years since I have done any traveling. Since there is no new travel, I am left with remembered images and my imagination to create imaginary landscapes. I create art that is a mixture of what I have seen with my eyes and the truth of what I see in my heart.

Believe Your Eyes- Alaskan Inspired Art

Last summer we went to Alaska and I was overwhelmed with the natural beauty there. A trip to Alaska amid all the natural beauty made it hard to believe my eyes when I saw the incredible natural resources. Over 75% of the land is preserved wilderness! They have wooded wilderness, mountains, lakes, glaciers, abundant flowers in summer- everything to make your visit a stunning visual experience. I captured some of the color and beauty from that trip into this series.

There are 15 images in this collection.

Believe Your Eyes- mixed media

Believe Your Eyes 2- mixed media

Endless Wonder 1- mixed media

Endless Wonder 2- mixed media

Golden Forest- monotype

Transforning Journey: Art Inspired by Trip to Myanmar

Cinnamon Memories 1

Cinnamon Memories 2

Cinnamon Memories 3

Cinnamon Memories 4

Bagan Discovery 1

Bagan Discovery 2

Saffron Memories 1

Saffron Memories 2

Travel transforms you, changes how you see the world and how you see yourself. Going to Asia, but especially Myanmar in 2012, was a transcending experience. The place is spiritual and the journey was too. Here is a series of my visual impressions of what I experienced there- the landscape, spice markets, fabrics, stupas, golden Buddhas, and especially, the people.

This series of one-of-a-kind monotypes with gold collage is my visual reflection and my visual memoir of a voyage (both external and internal) I will never forget. The art was inspired by my trip and the journey inspired me in so many ways, visual and others. I finished the series in late 2012 and then edited it more in 2013 as I thought about it more and added and subtracted  as it took a while for the images, ideas and memories to percolate in my mind's eye and manifest themselves more fully. Does the process ever really end? At some point, I say enough! I am ready to call it finished and let the public see it.

I showed some of these first in my solo show at Da Vinci Art Alliance in May 2013. Several of them are now available at the Accent Gallery in Ocean City, New Jersey. Contact me at garf621@aol.com for more details.

Ice and Blue Inspired by Antarctica

Ice and Blue 6

Ice and Blue 5

Ice and Blue 4

Ice and Blue 3

Ice and Blue 2

Ice and Blue 1

Colossal Sea 2

Colossal Sea 1

This series of monotypes and monotypes with collage was inspired by our travel to Antarctica in the winter of 2012. Pristine, white, wild and wonderful! Silent and gorgeous, the seventh continent is a place of great beauty and spectacular scenery. Itis a special and unique place and I feel privileged to have been there. The ocean is clear blue- no pollution at all!

I tried to capture to majesty, the color and the spectacle in these one-of-a-kind prints .

Commitment- Another Mixed Media Series Inspired by Asian Travel

Inspired from travel in Asia, visiting Myanmar, Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia where Buddhism is an integral part of everyday life, this series is entitled Commitment. I was impressed by the spirit of the people's commitment to Buddhism, to building amazing Temples when they have so little money, to feeding the monks every day from their meager allotments and their loving kindness and non violent nature in everyday life (yet they produced the Khmer Rouge and  North Viet Nam soldiers.)

It was an interesting phenomenon to see how they drove in heavy traffic in Viet Nam with few traffic lights or stop signs. No one got angry or tried to out maneuver anyone else. People cooperated on the road and let people ease into the traffic. When someone beeped, it was to let them know they were there for safety, not to be angry or hostile. People are committed to the precepts of Buddhism, to be kind and loving to others- both behind and outside the monastery walls!

More New Prints- Contemplation & Meditiation

Here are more mixed media prints from the series. Top two are also Contemplation but other two are titled Meditation 1 and 2. These works are inspired by the walls of the monasteries and how the monks are sequestered from life, yet very much part of everyday life. Inspired from travel in Asia, visiting Myanmar, Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia where Buddhism is an integral part of everyday life.  People get up early to make rice for themselves and to give to the monks.

Sun and Sea- Mixed Media Series Inspired by Hawaii

Traveling to the Hawaiian Islands, watching the ocean, sky and beaches... experiencing the colors, textures and smells...retaining images and memories... from different locations... In this series Sun and Sea, I create visual memoirs, informed by an accumulation of what remains in the mind's eye and my passionate response to color. I am also reminded of other beach scenes over the years, of other times, other oceans...blending experiences and creating timeless imagery as I explore the mystery of memory and the magic of place using hand-pulled printmaking techniques, collage and mixed media.

This series of 12 mixed media monotypes is made by several layers of traditionally pulled monotype with collage, silk screen print, stamping, oil pastel, colored pencil.

Titles of images from top are: By the Beautiful Sea, Allowing the Light Through, Bubbles of Contentment, Cause for Optimism.

Contact me for information about purchasing these works at garf621@aol.com

Paris Inspired Art- Monotypes Part 6

This monotype, Versailles, expresses the royalty, dynamism and history I found at the very popular tourist stop the Palace of Versailles, only 16 miles outside of Paris.

Versailles was the center of political power in France from 1682, when Louis XIV moved from Paris, until the royal family was forced to return to the capital in October 1789 after the beginning of the French Revolution. Versailles is therefore famous not only as a building, but as a symbol of the system of absolute monarchy of the Ancient Régime.

It represents the ultimate in beautifully appointed but often overdone rooms with antiques and art treasures culminating in the Hall of Mirrors. See earlier posts where I describe the palace and gardens and the juxtaposition of them and the contemporary art exhibit showing there.

Paris Inspired Art- Monotypes Part 5

What do you think is the number one tourist attraction in the world? What is the most recognized attraction to people in the world? My guess would be the Eiffel Tower. It is the most-visited paid monument in the world; millions of people ascend it every year. Named for its designer, engineer Gustave Eiffel, the tower was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair.

The tower stands 1,063 ft tall, about the same height as an 81 storey building. Upon its completion, it surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930.

Image: Le Tour, Monotype by Linda Dubin Garfield

Paris Inspired Art- Monotypes Part 4

The Bois de Boulogne, one of Europe's most spectacular parks, just west of the city is a place where Parisians go to breathe and enjoy spacious green surroundings. A historic spot which French nobility once used as hunting grounds, the Bois de Boulogne is a lyrical expanse of greenery and calm where picnics, bike rides, boating, and even fishing can make you feel like you're far away from the urban scene.

One word of warning: prostitution rings thrive around the Bois de Boulogne after dark. Avoid the area at these times.

Image: Bois de Boulogne, Monotype with mixed media by Linda Dubin Garfield

Paris Inspired Art- Monotypes Part 3

These three monotypes are titled (from the top) "Le Marais," "Sully" and "Vosges." I purposely grouped them together because they are geographically together in Paris. Le Marais is the area where you find Place de Vosges which I spoke about before. It is the oldest planned square, quite lovely with great architecture around it. Build by Charles !! for his son, it stand the test of time and still works as a beautiful, popular square today. The Victor Hugo Museum is there as is the Sully Hotel (meaning large, grand edifice, not a place to rent rooms). You can refer back to past posts to read more about these places. I was enamored by each place and tried to encorporate the energy and feeling of the place in the work of art.

Paris Inspired Art- Monotypes Part 1

Capturing the excitement and energy of the streets of Paris is a daunting job. Paris is a walking city and I walked miles and miles, or should I say kilometers? Every neighborhood had its charm and flavor. In previous posts, I spoke about Marais where I stayed. Some of the energy and passion of this fabulous city is in the monotype if you look for it. The movement, the color, the application of the ink- all work toward expressing the sights and feelings of the experience of Paris in visual form, using color instead of words.

Top: Rendez-Vouz d'Octobre, monotype, bottom: Rues de Paris, monotype