Yeah, I'm gonna be in print, baby

 


(Above, Mary Pinto's Red Giant)

This Saturday is the launch of Ancient Echoes in Contemporary Printmaking at Hofstra University. I had the pleasure of writing the catalogue essay for this group show, and meeting with each of the five artists at their studios all around the New York area during the summer of 2008. All of the artists here bring such a unique voice to their works. Above is a favorite of mine, Mary Pinto. I saw this work when it was in the very beginning stages of creation at her studio-- just cutouts. She wasn't sure how she'd place the cells, and I remember discussing the different presentation possibilities with her. Now that I see her finished product-- WHOA, NELLY-- I can only say, rock on with your bad self, Mary! Brilliant stuff indeed! And from my own opinion, this is just the tip of the iceberg with this show. The works from start to finish are ridiculously amazing.

At 1:00 PM this Saturday, January 31st, there will be a panel discussion at the Emily Lowe Gallery. All five artists will attend-- Jessica Baker, Michael Herstand, Brian Lynch, Tomomi Ono, and the aforementioned Mary Pinto. You might even see Oly's Musings' author there, too. (Shh!!! Her name is Olympia Lambert.) Give her a shoutout if you see her. 3pm sees the wine and cheese/refreshments being brought out for the artists' reception. Come join me. If you've ever needed a reason to leave the city for Long Island, here it is. Click here for directions. The show will run through March 20th, 2009.

 

Artist of the day: Jessica Baker

As recently spotlighted on NPR's "Weekend America" edition, Brooklyn artist Jessica Baker creates unique prints on nature's own parchment-- leaves. Why bother going to Pearl or Blick when you have all the materials you need right at your feet?

This past weekend I joined the artist at her show "Leaf and Circle" at Prospect Park's Audubon Center. The works are unique in the same way as that of a snowflake-- no two are quite the same.

Utilizing maples, Paulownias, Lindens, Black Cherry and much much more, I was awash in the beauty of it all, taking it in. The concentric circles within each print seem to bring to mind intracellular communication, or the initial moment of conception. I loved how the colors seem to absorb so easily into the cellulose base of the chlorophyll. But for Baker, it was an extremely fragile process in getting the leaves prepared just right to be able to absorb the pigment. They had to be fresh, but not too moist. In fact, she soaked each leaf prior to printing, and then would blot each so as not to be oversaturated.

Throughout the exhibit Baker fuses together a nice blend of appreciation for the natural realm, and each piece seems to be an almost rebirth in itself.

Check out some of the images at Baker's site, or go to NPR's podcast to listen to her speak about her work.

It's some great stuff.

http://www.jessicabaker.net

http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/05/01/leaf_art/