Through my monotypes I struggle with the tension between the elements of chaos, tumult, activity, movement, exuberance and fluidity and the concomitant elements of containment, restraint, order, harmony, wholeness and peace.  With each series of monotypes, I experiment with different degrees of freedom and restraint.  I work abstractly in my attempts to capture both the internal world of the individual and the collective world that we share with others and nature.

I begin by creating a design through free flowing drawing.  Then I formulate a detailed master plan of how I will proceed with my forms, colors and textures.   As I work, my plan quickly becomes obsolete.  I modify my intentions as I see how colors blend with one another, and how shapes enhance or detract from one another.  I enjoy these surprises which present me with a new problem to resolve.

I work subtractively, inking up the entire plate and then wiping off the ink from the areas in which I do not want it before putting it through the press.  I like to use multiple drops (passes through the press) to create a feeling of depth and to produce unusual colors and textures through layering.   After my shapes are defined and my basic colors laid down, I use darker values to create shadows allowing some shapes to come forward and others to recede.  Toward the end of my process I will may include an additive element – a marking or a single line - to create a distinction between shapes or to add an element of emphasis.

I have chosen to work principally with monotypes because I can achieve the most variability and brilliance of color.  I have also chosen them because they are one of a kind.

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