The Printmaker

Years ago, I became interested in printing monotypes. The process involves applying paint or other medium to a plate and then transferring the image to a moist sheet of paper. After placing the prepared paper over the plate, the artist covers it with a felt “blanket,” lowers the roller, and turns a wheel to move it through the press. For the medium to be taken up, the printmaker has to work quickly before the paper and medium used start to dry.

In this painting, I’ve tried to capture the tension and anticipation I feel when removing a print from the press. It’s impossible to know exactly what the resulting image will look like; variations in the paper’s texture and movement of the medium as it goes through the press are beyond my control.

My wife tells me that I like being in control. When painting, my work is constantly in front of me and I can determine the placement of color, define shapes, and make precise corrections as I go. With monotypes, it’s a somewhat blind process once the press becomes involved. Despite the element of chance, I love monotypes because of the freshness of the image and the excitement of the unknown.

You can view my monotypes in the “Animalia” and “StillLife” categories of “Works.”