Labyrinthine. I love that word! My previous collages with embossing and circles suggest the design of a labyrinth. This new group uses embossed string in a more defined way. Unlike a true labyrinth (admission – I’ve never visited one) in my work there is no way in or out. That’s the beauty of making art. Inspiration leads to conception!

The complex, textured, monotype background layer supports the simple “labyrinth” layer of an embossed circular shape. Start at the center and work your way out (visually) or start at the edge and meditate as you circle toward the center. It’s your choice. “Walk” with your eyes.

There are four prints in this group. Print one and two starts with a monotype which includes inked and printed mesh shapes (first layer).  The second layer is the embossed labyrinth shape. Each print has its “ghost” (what’s left on the plate after the first print is made) to which I’ve added more inked mesh shapes and the embossed labyrinth shape or shapes. The third, and final, layer consists of a variety of collaged circles (dots) somewhat randomly scattered over the entire surface.

What purpose does the dots serve? They can be points of light shining down on the labyrinth. Or, they repeat the swirling aspect of the embossed shape. Or, they guide you in, out and around the labyrinth. Or, they aid in the spatial push- pull of the design by placement, size, and color. Anything else?

Here are the four prints.

#1424 And Then There Was

#1424  And Then There Was

#1424 Final Print

#1424  And Then There Was, monotype, embossing, collage 30×22 2024

#1425 (ghost of 1424) Game On

#1425  Game On

#1425 Final Print

#1425  Game On, monotype, embossing, collage 22×30 2024

#1426 You Can Have It Both Ways

#1426

#1426 Final Print

#1426  You Can Have It Both Ways, monotype, embossing, collage 22×30 2024

#1427 (ghost of 1426)) States of Mine

# 1427  States of Mine

#1427 Final Print

#1427  States of Mine, monotype, embossing, collage 2024

This is as close as I’ve come to walking a labyrinth. How about you?

Piece by piece and layer by layer. Bye, bye suminagashi marbling (for now), hello acrylic painting on paper. This will be the base layer on top of which I will construct a new collage. It will go from simple to complex. As you scroll through the images, slowly and thoughtfully (I hope), here are some questions to ponder. You might find them simplistic but here they are, anyway.

1. What are the similarities? Differences?
2. Do you see relationships of color, line, shape, texture?
3. Is there one focal point or several? What connections are there from one area to another?
4. What difference does the change in orientation of the central collage make?

And now, the collages!

Here is the “process” sequence.

First, acrylic painting on paper.

Process #1391- acrylic

Next layer, monotype added.

Process #1391- monotype

After that, collage of sun prints + photos.

Process #1391-monotype w. sun print, photo

A few more collage elements and voila! The completed collage.

#1391 Breaking Loose

The same sequence occurs in #1392 and #1393.

#1392 Grab Bag

#1393 Sort Of

Here is another group with the same layering sequence except that the orientation of the central collage of sun prints and photos is vertical instead of horizontal.

#1387 Hold On It’s Gonna Be A Rough Ride monotype, sun print, photo collage 25.5×19.5 2021

#1387 detail

#1388 Nice Work If You Can Get It monotype, sun print, photo collage 25.5×19.5 2021

#1388 Detail

#1389 Bending The Rules monotype, sun print, photo collage 25.5×19.5 2021

#1390 The One That Got Away monotype, sun print, photo collage 25.5×19.5 2021

Now, leave all the dissecting and analyzing behind. Go back, look at the completed collages and have FUN! Think “joyfull”, “playfull.” Have a romp! I did!

“Wait for the right horse and you will walk.” (anonymous)