It’s time for a straight-forward combination of the elements I often work with, in collage. The geometric shapes are readily apparent but how are there two colors on what seems like one layer of a monotype print? The mystery lies in the use of two “plates” into which coils of string are incised by the weight of the etching press. They are inked with two different colors and printed. Paper circles are placed on the second plate before printing. When they are removed the color of the first plate shows through as circles. Mystery solved!
As I’ve done in the past, I construct the collage on the printed monotype. It’s a step by step, layer by layer process using parts of collagraph (textured) prints and monotype prints.
Here is the first set of three. They are horizontal.
#1394 To Do Or Not To Do monotype w. collage, 15.5×23.5, 2022
#1395 Peripheral Vision monotype w. collage, 15.5×23.5, 2022
#1396 Now You See It monotype w. collage, 15.5×23.5, 2022
If you look the second set of three, which are vertical, can you tell that each collage is assembled on a print from only one plate? Bet you can! That monotype print is the “ghost” image. It is the impression from the image left on the first plate after printing. The vertical collages are constructed in the same way as the horizontal ones step by step, layer by layer.
Here are the three vertical collages.
#1397 Super Duper monotype w. collage, 23.5×15.5, 2022
#1398 What Goes ’round Comes ’round monotype w. collage, 23.5×15.5 2022
#1399 Say When monotype w. collage, 23.5×15.5, 20
Don’t let the “process” get in the way of seeing the whole collage. Enjoy the experience of exploring the relationships of line, shape, color, and texture. Look at the whole, notice the parts, then look at the whole again.
Party on!