Child’s Play IV
Veils Suite: Child’s Play IV
monotype 90 x 60 cm.
by Marja-Leena
by Marja-Leena monotypes and monoprints
Some of my work in the Veils Suite, such as Child’s Play II, Child’s Play III & Child’s Play IV are made using a printmaking technique called monotype.
The monotype is a singular and unique print that takes its image by painting, drawing, rolling, brushing, wiping… directly on a flat surface such as a metal plate or Plexiglas. This printing element is used to create a new image each time it is passed through the press.
The monoprint is frequently used as an alternative name for the monotype; both are singular and unique prints. However, the monoprint is a unique inking of a printing element with a fixed matrix, such as an etched plate or woodblock.
As Monoprints.com says, they are “known as the most painterly method among the printmaking techniques”. The looser and quicker way of working can be more fun and expressonistic compared to the more laborious and time-consuming traditional printmaking processes. Visit this site for some interesting information and history if you’d like to learn more.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum also has several pages on monotypes, with a focus on American artists. I recommend looking at the quicktime video presentations of the variety of techniques that can be used to produce monotypes. The videos sometimes skipped and stopped for me but the information is still useful, especially for novices to the process.
Also, you might like to revisit my entry about Mohsen Kahlili and look at some of his monoprints.
by Marja-Leena Child’s Play III
Veils Suite: Child’s Play III
monotype 60 x 45 cm.
by Marja-Leena Jean Morrison & Setsuko Piroche
Artists Jean Morrison and Setsuko Piroche invite you to their exhibition of print media and objects entitled “the diverse earth”. The opening reception is on Wednesday, November 17th, 2004 from 4:30 to 7:30 pm. The exhibition runs from Nov.15 – Dec.3. Gallery hours: 9 am-4 pm Mon-Fri. At the Studio Art Gallery, Capilano College**, 2055 Purcell Way, North Vancouver, BC
Mark your calendars! If you are in the Vancouver area, do come and see their excellent work. Check back here for updates such as a show description, hopefully.
Read about Jean’s work in this recent post. I hope to do an article on Setsuko’s work very soon. Added later: here it is
(P.S. Isn’t this a gorgeous invitation incorporating images from Jean’s and Setsuko’s work? It was designed by artist Bonnie Jordan, our most super technical assistant at the Art Institute, Printmaking. Bonnie was one of the artists with me in our exhibition in Finland two years ago.)
Update Nov.17.04:
Exhibition Statement:
Our choice of media combines diverse print techniques with the use of natural objects.
Our viewpoint is to celebrate the diversity of life in this world.
Our concern is the world wide human impact keeps lessening the natural diversity on this planet.
What are your thoughts?
**has since become University
by Marja-Leena Child’s Play II
Veils Suite: Child’s Play II
monotype 60 x 45 cm.
Read the story behind this work.
And, what is a monotype?
by Marja-Leena endangered art
There are lots of news breaking stories of new archaeological discoveries around the world, especially in newly “opened” countries like Bulgaria and China, as evidenced on Stone Pages and Zinken for example.
Even in the British Isles, which seem to be one giant archaeological site, finds are still being unearthed. These are always heralded as important treasures to be studied and protected. Then why are we reading about long-existing and well-known sites like Stonehenge and Tara Hill, Ireland being threatened by freeways? Global outrage is mentioned, but it seems to me it isn’t loud enough.
Then there is the wear and tear and vandalism of unprotected sites, like in Africa.
Restoration of the temples in Malta has become a commendable governmental initiative, but why not include those on the island of Gozo?
War-torn nations like Iraq suffer looting of treasures that are turning up in wealthier (and greedy?) Western countries seemingly eager to accept the spoils. I could go on, but I’m getting depressed.
Have a look at Bradshaw Foundation’s gorgeous photos of African art and the temples of Malta, and feel the awe and then the outrage.
Some previous related posts:
rock art defaced
rock art threatened by gas exploration
on South African Art
by Marja-Leena Remembrance Day
On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, Canadians are asked to pause and remember the lives lost in the two World Wars, the Korean war and our peacekeeping missions. Learn about Remembrance Day in Canada and elsewhere.
In remembering the fallen, please let us not glorify war. Let us all fight for PEACE.
by Marja-Leena quotations on art
“The artist is a receptacle for emotions that come from all over the place: from the sky, from the earth, from a scrap of paper, from a passing shape, from a spider’s web.” – Pablo Picasso
“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible.” – Paul Klee
“The artist brings something into the world that didn’t exist before, and… he does it without destroying something else.” – George Plimpton
“Art is meant to disturb, science reassures.” – Georges Braque
(from The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, 5th Edition, 1999)
by Marja-Leena Aurora Borealis
Yesterday I read on Amy’s blog Ever so Humble about the current solar storms taking place (lots of great links here!). Tom Montag writes about seeing the Northern Lights in Wisconsin USA – quite far south, I thought.
Now today I see Helsingin Sanomat’s article: Exceptional solar activity produces Northern Lights further south than usual. See the photo of a corona as you read this article, and some good links explaining the aurora borealis* along with some beautiful photos. Don’t miss Pekka Parvianen’s photos* (bottom of page) taken in April 2000 of a most extraordinary one in southwest Finland.
I’ve seen these lights in southern Manitoba, and across the Canadian prairies, but they were the best and most frequent in northeast British Columbia. Seeing auroras always makes me feel that I am experiencing something mystical, awe-inspiring and very other-worldly. Can you imagine what prehistoric people must have felt?
Folklore abounds with explanations of the origins of the spellbinding celestial lights. In Finnish they are called ‘revontulet’, which means ‘fox fires’, a name derived from an ancient fable of the arctic fox starting fires or spraying up snow with its brush-like tail. No matter that in English ‘foxfire’ is a luminescent glow emitted by certain types of fungi growing on rotten wood.
Report a sighting and enter your photos in a contest, at Nordlys and check out the Auroral Mythology page.
Update: More photos at the Aurora Gallery
* (expired links)
by Marja-Leena Veils Suite: Child’s Dream
Veils Suite: Child’s Dream
etching 112 x 76 cm. (44″ x 30″)
Please the story behind this work and its companion piece Child’s Play
Edited Jan.14th, 2013 to display larger view.