Visual Realia "Pigment" Exhibit Running
The "Pigment" exhibit continues at the Adams County Arts Council. The Gallery may be in use at times during the day but ask at the front desk if you can view the exhibit.
Feel free to contact me to arrange a visit during an evening or weekend. I'd be happy to meet you there and answer any questions.
Eight of the thirty works have sold, so this is the last chance to see some of these works.
Upcoming Visual Realia Events
I am pleased to note an upcoming exhibit of my clay monoprint works in the Gallery of Gettysburg's Adams County Arts Council. The show will open on June 4th and will run through June and July. (The Arts Council holds a reception for its artists on First Fridays, so plan on a great Gettysburg evening on July 2nd.)
I'll also be selling unframed monoprints at a pop-up art market outside of York's awesome I-ron-ic coffee house on June 12th.
More info on both coming soon.
Anatomy of a Clay Monoprint
“Machinations” with Notations — Clay Monoprint by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia
For those new to the medium, the artist creates a design using colored clay (slip) on a clay slab, known as the matrix. Material is then placed on some or all of the slab, and the print is transferred to the material.
After the print is made, some of the clay design remains on the matrix. An interesting aspect of the medium is that the next print is designed over top of the previous rather than starting over. This results in a bit of randomness as portions of previous designs appear along with the new design.
For the Machinations print, I used all of the slab/matrix for the print — the first time in a while, so elements of different, smaller prints are combined. In fact, most of the elements in this print are remnants of previous designs. I did, however, add the 3x4 set of blocks in the first noted area and the dark teal line in the center at area 3.
Area 1 - You'll see three rows of three squares, using red, yellow, and orange. Above this set is another row of three dark teak clay.
In the image, you'll see a black rectangle "above" the blocks. This shape was actually from a previous print, with the new small squares placed on top. When the new print was made (pulled), the clay from the squares transferred, but so did the black rectangle underneath, reversing the order on the pulled print. (There's that randomness!)
Area 2 - If you look closely, you'll see a line of a few black dots. Not only wasn't this in the new design, but it was from several prints ago and hasn't appeared in a print since November! Sometimes these "memories" from previous designs create happy accidents. (Your clay slab is a diary of your work.)
Area 3 - The dark teal line was added last, and I almost made the print without it. A last-minute look at the matrix led me to feel the object was necessary. Interestingly, Caetlyn mentioned in the previous look at this print that she thought this line was necessary. I'm glad I added it!
Area 4 - Persistence. I've been doing geometric art lately and wanted to minimize this unusual black shape, so I painted a layer of plain off-white clay over it. It did soften it a bit, but it still raised its voice!
The clay monoprint artist never has complete control; sometimes, the clay speaks for itself.
“Machinations” — Clay Monoprint on Pellon by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia
Monoprints on Display in Hanover
Clay monoprints are on exhibit in Hanover, PA, through the month of February.
Monoprints by Andrew Smith (Visual Realia) on Display in Hanover, Pennsylvania through February, 2021
Monoprints by Andrew Smith of Visual Realia will be on display in the Hanover Area Arts Guild through the month of February, 2021.
Visitors may see the works during the Guild's regular hours:
Tuesday through Friday: Noon — 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM — 3:00 PM
The Guild is located at 32 Carlisle Street, Hanover, PA 17331.
Visual Realia at Gettysburg's Garryowen Irish Pub
Find sixteen Visual Realia works in Gettysburg’s favorite spot, the Garryowen Irish Pub!
Gosford Room in Gettysburg’s Garryowen Irish Pub, with works by Visual Realia’s Andrew Smith.
Gettysburg's Garryowen Irish Pub is a local favorite for good reason. With outstanding food, some of the best of Ireland's drafts, and over one hundred Irish whiskeys, your time there will only be matched by the location and visual experience itself.
Using the extra time of the recent uncertain COVID-19 business environment, the Garryowen has undergone some impressive interior work, with a beautiful look, shown here, in the Gosford room.
Make a point of stopping by soon, where you'll find sixteen Visual Realia Studio works (clay monoprints and photographs) in the dining room.
It's Complicated (Clay Monoprint)
“It’s Complicated” - Clay Monoprint by Andrew T. Smith of Visual Realia
"It's Complicated"
Clay Monoprint
16x24
Available for purchase framed.
This is a fun monoprint, and suitable for February; a large heart is in the upper right and several small ones dancing in the bottom left.
The title plays off of the "it's complicated" status you'll see on social media, as well as all of the intricacies in the print.
If interested in purchasing this one-of-a-kind print, contact Andy at:
ostman4200@comcast.net