Thursday, September 25, 2008

Thank My Lucky Star!




Sacred Vessel Series


My neighbor and friend (she owns two of my pieces) called the other day to bring over a friend visiting from NY for a studio visit. We had a great time and Richard decided on these two prints. This one on the left is a gelatin print (yes, Knox gelatin) with pencil and acrylic paint and ink. It measures 18"x18" framed and the title is "Baptism of Dreams" The second one, on the right also measures 18"x18" framed and is a gelatin print. It's title is "Faith, Being & Necessity". It has collage, pencil and soft pastel. I shipped it off to him via UPS and he sent me a note to say all went well and he is very happy! I am so awful at marketing, I wish it all could be this easy.

Pablo is out of town and I'm working on new work...what a fine mess I've made...I will clean up late tomorrow. I'm also eating all the foods he doesn't like...eggplant, sundried tomatoes...I'm really putting on the feedbag...I have trouble with limits sometime!ha
A little explaining:" Making Monotypes "Using a Gelatin Plate by Nancy Marculewicz was a book that began this series. I have been a printmaker for years but was looking for a cleaner, less toxic way to make monotypes and the fun of using my cooking talents (boiling gelatin)with art making! The direction of the series Sacred Vessels came about after brain storming with my friend Deena in various coffee houses around town. It was extremely helpful having a direction when working with a short lived element such as gelatin. We worked together one evening making the plate and another evening printing our drawings of vessels. I can tell you, Pablo came home to a floor covered (drying time) in monotypes! We later developed these images at our own studios but it was great fun having one another for the basic production.




15 comments:

  1. Hi MaryAnn,
    You say the title is "Faith, Being & Necessity". It has collage, pencil and soft pastel. I'm speaking of the one on the right. It is so grand! It has such shine and from what I can see it looks almost like a photgraph. How is this possible?
    Karen

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  2. Congratulations on your sales. How wonderful. The picture on the left is so evocative and sensual. The reds. The one on the left looks so real, like a photo of ....something....I don't know what they are but they are lovely. Richard is lucky to have these pieces. Enjoy eating all those non-Pablo foods. As a child, when my Dad went out of town, Mom gave us hot dogs and beans and macaroni and cheese. Dad hated that sort of stuff. Yum. I still love them though not hot dogs so much.

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  3. Karen, The title was taken from the Norwegian mythology...they are the names of the three maidens who water the world tree each day. I added some unusual collage such as black lace and gold pencil and I think the bright colors create a photo like image? I'm glad you like it.
    Suki,Thank you, I've edited the post to include the author and title of monotypes with gelatin plates...good book. I like almost all methods that are simple almost childlike easy. I had great results from the children's science project Pin-Hole camera.
    Ah! forbidden foods! ha I too can't over indulge on hot dogs.
    Mary Ann

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  4. Thanks Mary Ann for the title of the book and author. Gelatin prints. I've read briefly about them. I have made monoprints using oils but not tried this. You are a marvelous printmaker. I also think maybe you revised your description as I dont recall reading before that you were born on Picasso's birthday. How fun. And I love it that you meet with your friend to make art together. So fun and inspirational. You are lucky to have such a friend/s nearby. So, Pablo has learned the wet monoprint dance! Little did he know when he married an artist!! :)

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  5. Suki, Thank you. Actually this is my first effort on the profile here...I had a lot of resistance to writing ABOUT me but I finally talked myself through. I met Pablo on Yahoo peronals and made it very clear in that profile that my art informs all aspects of my life...it didn't scare him off?! I must tell you, I look forward to your comments and feel a friendship is growing over these thousands of miles!
    Mary Ann

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  6. Ah, that's why I didnt remember reading the profile before. It's new. I thought it was so cool you were born on Picasso's b-day that I did a search to see if anyone artistic was born on mine but haven't found anyone yet. As I was looking on October lists (I am Oct 8th) I noticed that Picasso's is the 25th. So, a birthday coming up for you and for me too.

    I look forward to reading your blog and feel a friendship growing too across the miles. So cool that you met Pablo in the Yahoo Personals!!! Wow. Amazing that it worked out well for you. You are indeed courageous. Namaste, Suki

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  7. I wanted to ask about the sewing. When you create your art you sometimes mention sewing elements on. Can you talk about how that is done? Do you use your machine? Any special settings, special foot, technique, etc.?
    I'm intrigued and might attempt a first collage of my own...
    Karen

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  8. I am so glad you are enjoying yourself at Willow Manor's Ball!! It's so nice to meet you and your artwork is lovely. I must visit again soon when the aftermath of the party is over. Someone spotting Mr. Picasso on the dance floor. I knew you'd be interested!

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  9. karen, I love hand sewing, quilting and all fabric design but I have no patience for it anymore. I use my sewing machine, metallic threads, and regular size stitching. I also use fabric glue and connect many layers with free form stitching...treating the stitch as I would a pencil line. applique is a favorite of mine too and adding it to a canvas and then paint, crayon etc. Mainly have fun!! I was a guest at a cyber formal ball. I will put the link on my favorites...worth a visit!
    Mary Ann

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  10. Karen, The site is called Life at Willow Manor. It was fun!

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  11. So this is the thing - when you say free form stitching - do you change your foot on your sewing machine or does it mean you just sort of go where you want with the stitches? You know I like the details - I want to try this myself. I found this amazing fabric with the greatest yellow brids on it yesterday! Love the metallic thread idea! Thanks.
    Karen

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  12. Karen, I don't change the foot...and I do just free wheel the stitching. It also depends on the thickness of the fabric. I look forward to seeing your project! Did you visit the link on my favorites: Life at Willow Manor? Or click on Willows comment here. It was my first cyberspace ball and such fun.
    Mary Ann

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  13. I've only just heard of this cyberspace ball from your blog. Brand new to me! I will have to give it a try if I get a larger chunk of free time in my schedule today. Darn that work life just consumes the day. LOL!
    My project - hmmm - must fit that in, too. I think my muse must have wings to soar above it all, to synthesize and take in the big picture - all right brain stuff for sure.
    Karen

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  14. Wow! Both of these are radiant. I've never made monotypes, but it's a medium I really admire. Something about the purposeful indirectness appeals to me.

    I agree with some of the other commenters. That second one is kind of photographic--something I haven't seen in this medium.

    They glow, girl!

    Sundried tomatoes. Garlic eggplant. YUM. (At least that's how I like my eggplant.)

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  15. These are stunning! What beautiful art you create!

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