YouTube Video of Visual Realia Clay Monoprints
A YouTube video discussing numerous clay monoprints by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia is now available at this link. The prints included are being exhibited throughout 2023 in various locations.
A YouTube video discussing numerous clay monoprints by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia is now available at this link. The prints included are being exhibited throughout 2023 in various locations.
"Finite Motion" Mixed Media Work
“Finite Motion” mixed media work by Andrew T. Smith
“Finite Motion” - Andrew T. Smith© 2023
"Finite Motion"
Mixed Media: Clay Monoprint and Acrylic Paint on Lutradur
5.5" x 8.5"
Andrew Smith / Visual Realia Studio
This is a small work for me; the Lutradur's loosely woven fibers add some additional texture here.
The Matrix — The Diary of a Clay Monoprint Artist
The clay slab that a clay monoprint artist designs on gradually becomes a diary of their work.
The clay monoprint artist designs their work on a slab of clay known as the matrix, shown here.
I'm a visual artist creating clay monoprints — a unique art form where prints are made but using colored clay rather than ink or paints. The clay designs are "pulled" (transferred) to the material with a very thin layer of clay adhering.
The workspace is a clay slab (the matrix) upon which the artwork is designed using clay slips — clay with water added to create a workable thickness generally slightly thicker than house paint. Finally, pigment is added to make the color the artist is looking for.
The clay monoprint artist can paint the design directly onto the matrix, or as an alternative, onto blank newsprint paper. Then, after drying slightly, the newsprint is placed upside on the matrix, and pressure is applied to transfer it to the matrix. You can learn more in a previous article available here.
When the artist is happy with the print, the material for the artwork (Pellon, Reemay, etc.) is placed on the matrix, and pressure is utilized to transfer some of the clay slip to create the artwork. After "pulling" (transferring) a print, some of the clay slip and its design stay behind on the matrix.
Rather than starting anew, the following work is designed on top of the previous; when prints are pulled, old design elements (or small pieces) will randomly appear on the print pulled. Thus, while artists greatly influence clay monoprints, they never have complete control. This is why a large portion of these works are abstract in nature.
Each new print leaves a very thin layer of each design on the clay matrix, creating a diary of the artists' works — that will share literal memories moving forward.
Shown are several common tools of the clay monoprint artist.
Items shown:
1) Clay slip with yellow pigment added.
2) Dried clay chips can be used on the matrix for small detail.
3) Painter's tape used for creating on-the-spot stencils.
4) Pastry roller used to apply pressure when pulling a print.
Look for future clay monoprints here:
https://www.visualrealia.com
https://www.instagram.com/visualrealia
https://www.facebook.com/VisualRealiaStudio
All material, written and visual, is protected by copyright. © 2023 Andrew T. Smith
Patchwork
“Patchwork” — Clay Monoprint by Andrew Smith of the Visual Realia studio.
The Past just left. Its remnants, I claim, are mostly fiction. We're stranded here with the threadbare patchwork of memory, you with yours, I with mine."
— Denis Johnson
"Patchwork"
Clay Monoprint on Pellon
8" x 10"
Andrew Smith / Visual Realia Studio
The square and rectangle blocks, newly added for this work, interplay with the large central yellow diamond and green and blue diagonal stripes, all remnants (patches) of previous works.
For the new elements, I purposely wanted to utilize my lesser chosen color slips, including siennas, umbers, red iron oxide, French rose madder, French yellow ochre, and the onion skin dyed slip.
Maryland Federation of Art's Spring Member Show
Maryland Federation of Art's Spring Member Show Online Gallery
I’m pleased to be one of sixty artists selected from 427 entries to be part of the Maryland Federation of Art's Spring Member Show 2022, opening today. The exhibit runs through May 28th.
MFA Circle Gallery
18 State Circle, Annapolis, MD 21401
Online:
https://mdfedart.com/mfaentry/galleryA/index.php...
Congratulations to Gettysburg artist Jim Mackey for his selection, as well.
“Anthem” — Clay Monoprint on Pellon by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia studio.
York & Hanover's "Invisible Wall"
I had the good fortunate to talk (and exchange emails) with Jim McClure about the “invisible wall” between York and Hanover, both in the art world and in general. Mr. McClure does a great job sharing some of the historical separations. Communities (and artists) in that straight line between York-Hanover-Gettysburg would benefit from greater efforts to work together.
Read the article at this link.