Aprons

My collagraph aprons reflect varied moods, mindsets, and attitudes. Some are prim and proper. Others are full of fun, joyful and playful. Some are angry. Still others are diligent, hard-working. One is crazy. Another is sexy. They are old-fashioned aprons in a new art form. They are drowned in plastic gesso. Then they have a rebirth in an art form molded to personify moods and actions.

I’ve noticed that I wear aprons whenever I start a messy job: All-over cover up when I go into the studio; a cheerful wrap around apron when I am making muffins; a half apron if a friend is coming over to visit. However, I have noticed that a younger generation seems to never use aprons. I think they wipe their hands on their jeans, and if they spill something, “so what.”

With this in mind, since I was aware that art galleries scare people, as an experiment I added a few attractive aprons as gift items. A number of women who came into the gallery marched over to the aprons declaring, “No! I do not wear an apron! I don’t bake. I don’t cook!” These reactions sparked my imagination – especially while I was editing my gluten-free baking book and frequently putting on a folksy apron. And then retiring to my art studio and putting on a very different apron, coarse and stiff, straight forward. I call this my shield.
Aprons with Attitude in collagraph prints is a culmination of many years of experimentation in the medium and ideas. I soaked real aprons in polymer medium mixed with gesso and marble paste. They were arranged according to the mood suggested by the apron on the thin Masonite boards. When I talked about this to customers, soon women gave me aprons that they treasured from their family and never used.
Keep in mind that each apron shown is a unique print. There is no other like that print. The colors and the textures are unique to each. It takes me two days to prepare the inks, papers, and studio for the immense job of printing them to my satisfaction. You will notice that some aprons have papers glued on the surfaces. This is a process called “chin colle.” In which the glue filled papers are attached to the print as goes through the press. In one print I used my prints that had been torn up and attached. I was surprised by the results.
Following the 1950’s slogan ”form follows function” I have named each apron according to their attitudes. If you see another attitude as well, that’s up to you.

Art Studio Apron
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price
Why not be strong.
Let quality appear.
Take risks.
Then the apron becomes a shield.
You might notice the paint brush. These marks were printed from a real pencil. The white rag is based on the cheese cloth which I used to remove extra ink. The ties were deliberately arranged to look strong and feisty.
Cookie Cutter Apron
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

I figuratively wiped my hands on this apron when I spilled some shiny powder in several places.
That worked out okay, because it looks like a real kitchen apron.
Dress Up Apron
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

Sometimes I want to raise my arms in the air and stretch,
Just like the ties on this apron.
And then put on this delicate covering and dress up.
Muffin Making Apron
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

I love the apron that was the basis for this print.
I wore it each time I felt “homey” and wanted to make muffins for my celiac husband who couldn’t eat wheat based baked goods. This was before gluten free products became readily available on the market.

Capable
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

Straight forward attack.
Problems and projects.
Put on that apron,
At least in your mind.
Crazy Apron
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

Some days everything is mixed up.
We all feel pushed by too many things.
This apron fell together on one of those days.
Fly Away Mom
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

She’s had enough.
She’s worked building airplanes and now she’s back in the kitchen, looking pretty, but feeling like a fake.
Off she goes into the clouds in her head.
Happy Go Lucky
Medium - Collagraph
Size
Price

I pictured a person feeling so fully alive that she or he kicked up in the air and laughed out loud.
The flowers are artificial, but personify a l et go and have fun attitude.
Copyright © 2020 Wenniger Cottage Gallery. All rights reserved.