…the Magnolia trees that adorn my neighborhood are in full bloom. One evening, I set out for a walk with my garden shears and a wicker basket in tow. My plan was to steal the beautiful blossoms from the trees, as many as would fit in the basket! At first, I had no idea what I was going to create with these beauties! If nothing came of it, these flowers would fill my home with intoxicating sweetness, and I would smile ear to ear in amazement of the enormity of the flowers. Eventually, my ideas centered around creating a series of prints highlighting these giant, beautiful blossoms. I wasn’t sure which printmaking method I wanted to utilize. Screenprinting? Lino-cut prints? Knowing that the blooms only last a few days, I had to work quickly to get a few drawings done.
As I began drawing each bloom, my thoughts centered around Notan. Several years ago, I purchased the book “NOTAN: The Dark-Light Principle of Design by Dorr Bothwell and Marlys Mayfield,” and completed the exercises. I was working as a drawing instructor at the University of Tampa at the time. I will usually dive into a concept before presenting it or teaching it in a class to really grasp it. At any rate, I love the concept of compartmentalized design. It’s a cool exercise that helps the creator expand their mind, imagination, and utilize the picture plane. I chose to experiment with this concept to create these unique prints. I have nine finished ‘prints’ from this experience. I think they work as a whole, so I am offering the entire series for purchase as a set (contact me for purchase options). Individual prints are available to purchase here.
Print size: 12 inches by 16 inches and 12 inches square. Materials: Black matte ink, on Canson Mixed Media paper.
Check out the images below of my completed project. Enjoy!
Print size: 12 inches by 16 inches and 12 inches square. Materials: Black matte ink, on Canson Mixed Media paper.
Check out the images below of my completed project. Enjoy!