Carol Walker

Artist Statement

My monotypes and mezzotints, although realistic, are composed out of layered and juxtaposed flats of colors. My monotypes tend to be figurative and based on personal photographs and drawings while my mezzotints reflect my love of small things.

In a recent series of monotypes my subjects had their backs turned away from the viewer. The settings varied from interiors to landscapes, but each time the person was portrayed completely unaware of being observed. I enjoyed the ambiguity this point of view created. In my mezzotint prints I keep the focus on a single object such a flower or a piece of fruit. I add my personal touch to these objects by observing them at unexpected angles and by infusing them with a soft interior glow.

I create both monotypes and mezzotints using a reduction method. While in monotypes ink is removed from the places where I don’t want that color to appear, I scrape away areas from the rocked mezzotint plate to achieve the same effect. In both techniques I layer plates to create intense color.

I feel that although I develop a strong relationship with the subject, in the course of working on the print the subject becomes abstract. I enjoy this process of distancing myself from the work. The challenge of the reduction method requires that I think “backwards” and focus deeply. It is this meditative quality of both my subject matter and my choice of printmaking techniques that greatly appeals to me and that inspires me to reach for an ever increasing complexity in my work.

Biography

Date and Place of Birth: 1944, Detroit, Michigan

Education:

Bachelor of Science in Design, College of Architecture & Design, University of Michigan. Majored in ceramics.

Additional Art Education:

2007: Mezzotint Class, New Grounds Print Workshop, Albuquerque, NM

2006: Monotype Class, New Grounds Print Workshop, Albuquerque, NM

2003-2006:  Monotype classes from Val Garoza at Harwood Art Center

                       and his home, Albuquerque, NM

1994-2005 :       Watercolor, Clay Sculpture, Traditional Punched Tin,

                        and  PMC  Jewelry at UNM Continuing Education

Major group exhibitions:

2008: Made in New Mexico, Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton, U.K.
           Made in New Mexico, Proyecto Ace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
2007: Introducing New Gallery Artists, New Grounds Gallery, Albuquerque, NM

2006: Monotype Exhibition, Harwood Art Center, Albuquerque, NM

1975: Exhibition of Sonoma County Artists, Santa Rosa, CA

           Private Gallery, Santa Rosa, CA

1966: Juried student Art Exhibition, Collage of Architecture and Design,

            University of Michigan

Major Collections:

Proyecto Ace, Buenos Aires, Argentina
Wolverhampton College, Wolverhampton, U.K.