Patchwork

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.

Jingle Ball 2021

Adams County Arts Council's Jingle Ball
Saturday, December 4th, 6-11 PM
The Gettysburg National Military Park Visitors’ Center

I’ll have only one hour at the Adams County Arts Council’s annual fundraising gala, the Jingle Ball, to design, paint, pull, seal, and frame a print that will go up for auction to benefit the non-profit. Should be challenging — and fun!

The bottom portion of the image above shows the clay matrix that I’ll be designing on prior to the gala. Some of these elements may impact the finished print.

Clay Monoprint Workshop — November 2021

Andrew Smith is offering a one-session clay monoprint workshop at the Adams County Arts Council in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday, November 10th, from 1-4 PM. Participants will use printmaking techniques with colored clay slips to create vibrant monoprints. Basic techniques will be introduced, followed by an open studio format where artists can explore and create their own works. Everyone will leave with two completed prints.

Questions may be directed to Andy at ostman4200@comcast.net. Registration information is available at:

https://www.adamsarts.org/portfolio-item/printmaking-with-clay/

Clay Slip for the Clay Monoprint Artist

While most painters at this point in time purchase their paints, clay monoprint artists must make their own clay slips, with as many varieties needed as the colors they choose to use in their works.

An immersion or “stick” blender is a worthwhile tool for creating the clay monoprint slips.

#6 tile Kaolin (or China) clay is mixed with water to make the clay slips, roughly to a consistency a little thicker than household paint. (The use of a marshmallow fluff container is optional!)

The artist then mixes in a pigment for each color they wish to use. In the Visual Realia studio, liquid universal pigments are my most common choice, but other materials such as iron oxides are another choice. The amount of pigment added will influence the boldness of the slip.

Want to learn more about clay monoprints? Check out these links:

https://www.visualrealia.com/articles/2017/10/15/art-of-the-clay-monoprint

https://www.visualrealia.com/articles/2019/12/21/evolution-of-a-clay-monoprint-matrix

https://www.visualrealia.com/articles/2021/3/7/from-one-monoprint-to-the-next

And a video here:

https://www.visualrealia.com/articles/2020/5/8/clay-monoprint-technique-demo-video

Interested in learning in person? Contact me for some options.

Universal pigments are a great choice for clay monoprint artists, and come in a wide range of colors.

"Under the Ridge" Up for Auction

In 2018, Hanover Against Hunger packed close to 120,000 meals to be distributed worldwide where needed. This amazing local group raises funds for the project locally, including a silent auction of fourteen artworks.

My entry is "Under the Ridge," a 24" x 20" look down toward the town of Gettysburg from Seminary Ridge. (The building shown is part of the United Lutheran Seminary.)

To bid on the work or see the others available via auction, visit:

https://hanoverareaarts.com/auction-gallery/

You may also view the works in person at the Hanover Area Arts Guild, located at 32 Carlisle Street, Hanover.

To learn more about Hanover Against Hunger, visit their website at:

https://hanoveragainsthunger.org

It's a wonderful organization with an impressive reach. Volunteer or place a bid!