Structures
I grew up in a Pennsylvania suburb where the stone and brick structures were from the 20th century. Here in New England buildings echo history. Various structures were built to reflect faith, entrepreneurial success or refuges from the elements or society.What gets me is the emotional content of structures; to me they evoke humility, power, mystery, pathos, celebration, playfulness, sadness.They were pioneer rudimentary housing, echoes of Victorian rectitude and majestic light houses as well as refuges for seasonal activities. Our little house in New Hampshire on a hill had been a rude late 18th century home with its hued beams, birthing rooms and twentieth century indoor toilet. It was later a hunting lodge and for a decade a refuge for us. Gradually I understand why I am drawn to structures. To me they are metaphors.
Note- all these buildings are in other categories too: harbors and beaches, seasonal landscapes, clotheslines.
Waiting for the Six of Five TrainMedium - CollagraphSize – 20 x 28Price $800
I have always found train tracks particularly poignant. They suggest going away or coming home or waiting. Notice the car on the far right from the 1960’s. I was in there, waiting, always waiting; a woman’s life revealed I am proud of two things: the perspective and the abstract patterns. The upside- down V in the sky echoes the waiting platform. A variety of materials included walnut shells in between the tracts, architectural tapes of different sizes, and even clumps of toilet paper for the trees on the left. Behind everything was organza fabric glued to the plate.
I have always found train tracks particularly poignant. They suggest going away or coming home or waiting. Notice the car on the far right from the 1960’s. I was in there, waiting, always waiting; a woman’s life revealed I am proud of two things: the perspective and the abstract patterns. The upside- down V in the sky echoes the waiting platform. A variety of materials included walnut shells in between the tracts, architectural tapes of different sizes, and even clumps of toilet paper for the trees on the left. Behind everything was organza fabric glued to the plate.
Backyards and RooftopsMedium - CollagraphSize – 31 x 13Price $1200
Since I came to Massachusetts, I’ve spent a lot of time drawing the juxtaposition of roofs framed against the sky. In this one I wanted to show the sun lit walls and dark roofs. I remember leaning on our car and drawing on the plate. Then I went home and covered the plate with silk organza, always being aware that the amount of glue used on the fabric will affect the values/darks and lights. I enjoyed the sunset over the roofs and I tried to capture that.
Since I came to Massachusetts, I’ve spent a lot of time drawing the juxtaposition of roofs framed against the sky. In this one I wanted to show the sun lit walls and dark roofs. I remember leaning on our car and drawing on the plate. Then I went home and covered the plate with silk organza, always being aware that the amount of glue used on the fabric will affect the values/darks and lights. I enjoyed the sunset over the roofs and I tried to capture that.
High Noon Summmer of 1959Medium - CollagraphSize – 24 x 18Price $3200
Looking back, I realise that the shack was pretty remote, out there on the dunes. But to go there is special. However since I see that what I have loved was captured on a plate arduously, by me. Then I painted the plate with lush oil paint colors and printed as a one of a kind. Now anyone can disappear into that sweet little house and later sit on that dune in the rich light.
Weathered Roof TopsMedium - CollagraphSize – 16" x 20"Price $800
Scene from my bed on a visit to Newport, RI. I used a lot of different materials randomly placed. It was the crooked weathervane and church steeple that prompted this piece. Please note, I always take materials wherever I go.
Before the Snow FellMedium - CollagraphSize – 17 ½ x 22Price $600
A Typical town square where the cows were kept during the 1800’s. The post in the foreground might be from the fence that held them in. I printed this on hand- made paper which I had made, hence it has a bumpy texture – lots of ups and downs. It’s very absorbent paper.
A Typical town square where the cows were kept during the 1800’s. The post in the foreground might be from the fence that held them in. I printed this on hand- made paper which I had made, hence it has a bumpy texture – lots of ups and downs. It’s very absorbent paper.
Patterns of LightMedium - CollagraphSize - 22 x 28Price $2500
One of my favorite prints! It all started when I fell in love with the reflections of light on the snow. I thought it looked so inviting to have the light from inside to outside. It was a full moon, and the snow on the roof became whiter. I loved the abstract quality of this old home in shadows and struggled to evoke this. A contrast of values defined the mystery of this somber building at night. I wonder if you can see the fugitive figure inside the door on the bottom left – that’s me.
One of my favorite prints! It all started when I fell in love with the reflections of light on the snow. I thought it looked so inviting to have the light from inside to outside. It was a full moon, and the snow on the roof became whiter. I loved the abstract quality of this old home in shadows and struggled to evoke this. A contrast of values defined the mystery of this somber building at night. I wonder if you can see the fugitive figure inside the door on the bottom left – that’s me.
This Old HouseMedium - CollagraphSize – 24 x 16Price $800
An old friend rented a ski house and invited my family to come for a week for cross country skiing. Every year this shed opposite the house seemed to sag more and more. I was fascinated by its resilience. The collagraph step I used for the trees and hills was the Burnt Plate technique. First I glazed the plate with heavy duty paint and then I torched the lines so the little crevises made by the torch would hold ink in a beautiful Impressionistic way.
The Open Door - Tall SentinelMedium - CollagraphSize – 12 x 23Price $800
Come into this quiet church on Nantucket island. Inhale the peace. Exhale the crazy tensions of today. The large windows will bathe you in healing light.Think of the skill of those long-ago Puritans designing and building this 18th century Congregational church and my skill in drawing, and articulating details – hours of work.