Artwork description

Title: Unconventional Landscape, 2020
Size: matted 11×14; actual artwork size 8×10
Price: $100
Description: monotype collage drawing created with household items. Collage materials include water-soluble black crayon, gouache, blue ‘shop cloth’ paper towel, plastic food wrap, tin foil, and wax paper.
Date created: July 19th & 20th, 2020

Artist Statement for Unconventional Landscape

This piece was inspired by the Creative & Unconventional artist call. Much of my creative process is exploration. During quarantine, I began using oil pastels on wax paper to transfer texture marks to my monotypes. After reading about this art call, I began to consider other items from my kitchen, similar to wax paper. Tinfoil was used as a highlight, while the plastic wrap was used to suggest flowing water. The blue shop cloth became my ‘land’ and cloud. I was able to suggest texture and ruggedness of the land with black gouache and water-soluble crayon. The subtle linear design in the sky was created on a separate layer of wax paper and is part of my background layer with the land. The drawing marks that suggest land and trees were created on an additional layer of wax paper with water-soluble black crayon. 

Personal Artist Statement

In the midst of a fast-paced and high-tech world, I desire to find peace through artful expressions. My acrylic monotypes feature layers and calm colours of semi-realistic landscapes. I create pieces that reflect a gentle respite, a place to pause.

I love to work in monotype: a unique printmaking process that results in just one unique print. ‘Mono’ is a Greek word meaning one, and ‘type’ means impression. These pieces are created by manipulating paint or inks on a smooth work surface then transferring the paint and design to paper by applying pressure by hand. Monotype art is filled with spontaneity and produces one-off pieces that cannot be replicated–each pulled print yields a surprise. Similar looking pieces can be created when using the same colours, tools, and techniques, however, each print will be truly unique.

During this isolation, I have tried to enjoy a simpler life and schedule that includes sitting down to dinner with my family every night, playing games, and doing puzzles. Because there was so much uncertainty about the future, I found it difficult to create artwork for the first few months. But now, each month is getting better. The past two months have been particularly productive and inspiring as I feel freer to explore ideas. I hope this surge of creativity will continue.

Artist Bio:

Katina is an artist, graphic designer and art instructor from Surrey.

katinagiesbrecht.com
@katina_giesbrecht