POST 2011- Open Studio @ Sherman Mills

These photographs that I took show you selected work done in 2011 in my studio in my home and in Vermont at the Vermont Studio Center during an Artist Residency in July. The works on paper usually start with a monotype. Some stay a monotype, using water or soy based ink. They often go through the press several times until I am satisfied with the image. Very often, I add collage, using handmade or other papers to achieve the effects I want. I feel like I am painting with the paper, tearing bits and pieces of paper, creating the images and layers I want as I go along. I then often print again, sometimes more monotype, sometimes silkscreen, or stamping or other techniques. I also draw with colored pencils, woodies, crayons, charcoal, pencils, whatever, or add natural materials such as shells, etc. That's why it's called MIXED MEDiA!! Anything goes to get the effect that I want.

I am intrigued by memory and what remains in our mind's eye. My work reflects scenes from previous travel and life experiences. More than a report on how it was exactly, it is a response to the color and pattern of the landscape and my reaction to it. My work is informed by an accumulation of such scenes and the pleasure I get from the printing process itself. I represent the hidden and reveal the atmosphere creating personal memoir that evokes the mystery of memory and the magic of place.

See more of my work on the gallery pages in my website.

I participated in POST @ Sherman Mills to be part of the city-wide event which was really fun. I loved having people come through to see my work which they could not do in my suburban home. There were 10 of us who rented studios for POST @Sherman Mill and many others around the city. The next POST weekend is Oct 15 & 16. Find out more at
http://www.philaopenstudios.com

Vermont Studio Center- Monotypes Part 1

These five monotypes are part a series of monotypes created at an Artist Residency at Vermont Studio Center which explores reaching your limits, exploring your edge, seeing the light both physically and metaphysically, and appreciating the wonder, joy and gifts of life, especially in the afternoon of life. The entire series can be seen on my website in the gallery As We Are Reaching.

They are from the top: By Gravity Alone 1, By Gravity Alone 2, Balanced for Now, Time Swept Up 1 and Time Swept Up 2.

Vermont Studio Center- The Object of My Affection

Now you know! The reason I was so happy and so directed for 2 weeks in Vermont at the Artist Residency- yes!! I was in love. and there is a picture of the object of my affection- the press that I had virtually to myself just a few feet away from my personal studio. I did all my printing on that press. And, as it turned out, even with more printers than presses, I never had to wait!! The timing was always perfect.

The amount of work I got done in 2 weeks of consistent creating and printing with no distractions, no chores or regular life responsibilities like laundry or meal preparation, no TV, Twitter or Facebook was comparable to 4 to 6 months of work at home. Of course, I would not be willing to give up everything I like to do for a very extended period of time- no social media, no TV (I do have shows I DVR after all) as well as friends and family I missed.

But going to an Artist Residency is something I want to do on an annual basis so I know I can focus for 2-4 weeks on my art and get a lot done in a short, saturated fabulous time in the mountains of Vermont with the object of my affection once again.

Vermont Studio Center- Artist Residency

I am preparing for a two week Artist Residency at the Vermont Studio Center in Johnson, Vermont the first two weeks in July. Founded by artists in 1984, the VSC is the largest international artists' and writers' residency program in the United States, hosting 50 visual and writing artists each month from across the country and around the world.

The VSC provides 2 to 12 weeks studio residencies on an historic 30 building campus along the Gihon River in Johnson Vermont, an hour and a half north of Burlington, a village, in the heart of the Green MountainI am collecting all the supplies I think I will need to print and create mixed media pieces for two weeks with 24 hour access to a press!! How exciting and exhilarating!! I can't wait. I have several unfinished pieces I am bringing. A few pieces I need to do for the Fringe Festival in September. Some work I started at the Main Line Art Center in June that I want to complete and several ideas for new series I want to implement and then... and then... and then... we'll see what percolates up in the creative environment of artists......