My newest collages combine black monotypes with colorful cut out circles, half circles and parts of circles. There are also some triangles and irregular shapes as well as shapes cut out of sun prints. The “plates” used for the black background are a type of plastic called Sintra. This type of plastic can be deeply incised with wire and heavy string. The lines stay white when I roll the black ink over the plate. The lines twist and twirl over the surface. There are two plates that butt up against each other in different ways in each collage.

#1428 Moving Right Along monotype, embossing, collage, 22×30 2024

#1429 Here’s The Thing monotype, embossing, collage 22×30 2024

#1430 Now and Then monotype, embossing, collage 22×30 2024

#1431 Balancing Act monotype, embossing, collage 22×30 2024

The colors on a black background really pop! The circular shapes echo the curvilinear white lines. They dance! They twirl! They swing! Throw in some triangles for counterpoint.

See what I mean?

I revisited some earlier prints that I knew had black backgrounds. As far back as 1976 I made a drawing with torn paper shapes (colored chalk) on a black chalk background.

#96 Summer 76-6, graphite, chalk, 22×28, 1976

Jumping ahead to 1992 and 1993 when I began printing in earnest, I made groups of monotypes with textured shapes on black. The shapes were simple and colorful. There were also lines, scratched into the surface, like lines in the new collages. Here they are.

#431 Untitled, monotype, 30×22, 1992

#489 Black Blue 1, monotype, 18×14.75, 1993

#499 Black Red 6, monotype, 18×14.75, 1993

#515 Black Orange 4, monotype, 14.75×18, 1993

#517 Black Purple 1, monotype, 14.75×18, 1993

There you have it. Those of you who know my work know that color is very important to me. Sometimes more, sometimes less, and every once in a while, I have to sneak in some black.

“Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.”

Mary Oliver (poet) “Instructions For Living A Life”