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Artist CommentaryLabel
Looking Beyond the Rain is one of two hand-pulled monotypes. They were pulled from the same plate; one is the ghost of the other. They are loosely based on landscapes of Ukiyo-e Japanese woodblock prints from the 1700-1800s; inspired by the composition, carving and subtle hues of prints from this era. Striving to capture the atmospheric mood of these prints, layers are gradually added to the inked substrate. Materials and colors were chosen to function as elements from a woodblock print. Watercolor is "stitched" in short, horizontal brush strokes, resembling gradual hues. Colored pencil marks add tone to the background, filling the inclusions found on the print. Textured washi paper inked with black resembles an ominous cloud at the top of the sheet. Pieces of gampi paper become small figures in the foreground, providing scale to the landscape. Top layers of silk thread are hand-sewn in running stitches. These two top layers follow a strict diagonal, giving the impression of rain. The top layer of silk is applied in a prescribed, even angle, functioning like a key block in a woodblock. The layer of thread just below is stitched at a slightly different angle, suggesting that sheets of rain are also further away. The viewer is beckoned and invited to look closely beyond the "curtain of silk rain" on the surface, to explore the marks and gradation of hues below. The silk rain gradually becomes the dominant feature while the pale grey substrate print recedes in the background.Label Type
Technique or ProcessLabel
Techniques and Materials:
Ink is applied to a polycarbonate plate with brayers and brushes. The ink is wiped using a variety of techniques. Textured washi papers add masks and patterns; they're flipped or repositioned. The print is hand-pulled, and a ghost print is immediately printed. Watercolor is "stitched" horizontally with a fine brush. Pencil tones suggest subtle the color gradations of historic prints. Thin grey pencil lines descend from the "cloud" to follow the diagonal silk stitches depicting sheets of rain.
The original substrate is black water-based intaglio ink on Rives BFK paper. Watercolor pigment is brushed in a "stitching" pattern, resembling a subtle gradation of hues. Colored pencil tones provide depth. Blue and grey colors, thick and thin gauges of silk thread are added to complete the work.