Poetry in Paint at Garfield Art Center

Poetry in Paint opened at the Garfield Park Art Center on March 13th. In this show, each artist was paired with a poet and the artist was tasked with creating a visual interpretation of the poet's poem. I had the pleasure of working with Richard Pflum and developing my interpretation of his poem "The Swamp" into a woodcut print.

Unfortunately a broken leg kept me from attending the opening reception, but I was told that their was a good turnout for the reception and that the work has been well received.

If you get a chance, please stop by and visit the show which runs thru May 2.

Moku Hanga Class with Mary Brodbeck

I started trying to make arrangements to take a moku hanga class with Mary Brodbeck in Kalamazoo, Michigan, over a year ago. For those that don't know, moku hanga is the Japanese term for woodblock print (moku means wood and hanga means print). This technique involves the use of water based ink (or paint) rice past (known as Nori). You mix the pigment directly on your wood block with a little rice paste. Then. you use special brushes to spread it across the block, and final you print on damp paper. If you are familiar with the Western style of printing wood block prints, you know that this is a very different technique.

Finally, in late January, Cynthia Blasingham and I headed to Kalamazoo for a weekend class with Mary. Here is Mary showing us one of her latest prints.

And below you see Cynthia at work on her moku hanga print.

I am really excited about all of things that we learned and hope to start trying some of these techniques in own studio soon. But, unfortunately, I am battling tendonitis in my wrist and currently need to wear brace on my wrist when I am active. But, hopefully that will clear up soon and I will be able to make my own moku hanga prints.

Prints on Display at Irvington Branch Library

I am really pleased to have my prints hanging in the Irvington Branch Library thru the end of February. They are in the Community Room. The picture above is an overview shot of the east wall of the Community Room. As you can see, the library has an awsome hanging system for displaying art.

And, just in case, you don't make it by the library, here are a couple of slightly closer views of some of the prints in the exhibit.

Artists of INprint Show at Robert Goodman Jewelers in Zionsville

Show Dates: August 20 - October 11, 2009

Five artists from INprint--Cynthia Blasingham, Patrick Flaherty, Marti Icenogle (ME!!), Myra Perrin, and Betty Scarpino currently grace the walls Robert Goodman Jewelers in Zionsville, IN.

These are the four monotype prints that I have in the show--Wildflowers and Fireflies (top row); Quiet River and Summer Green (bottom row).

A very lovely opening reception was held on September 18 from 5:30 to 8:00 P.M. Bob and Rose Marie, the owners, provided wine from The Grapevine Cottage and food from Serenity, both Zionsville businesses.

INprint is a regional association of 25 fine art printmakers based in Central Indiana, formed in 1997 at the Indianapolis Art Center and affiliated with them since. INprint strives to share, create, educate, and promote the media of printmaking; and to encourage, inspire, and enrich communities through our artwork, with focus on social, environmental, cultural, and spiritual issues. Their artwork consists of original hand-pulled prints including etching, silkscreen, monoprint, monotype, collagraph, woodcut, linocut, lithography, and new non-toxic intaglio and relief.

Pirate Art Show at Garfield Park

If you haven't had a chance to visit the Pirate Art Show at Garfield Park Art Center, you still have a few days to get into to see the show. The show closes on August 30th. But, just in case, you can't make the show, here are a few pictures that I shoot in the gallery. To the right is a picture of my pirate on display. I also shoot a picture Kris May's work that is on display. (On the left.) And below are some other pictures that took in the gallery.

Open Studio - Jewelry Making

I will be leading an open studio in jewelry making at Garfield Park Art Center beginning September 3. So if you are looking for a fun evening out to work on your jewelry projects and socialize with others with similar interests, please come join us. Pre-registration is required, so visit my open studio information page for more details.

Printmaking Pursuits

In addition to designing and creating art jewelery, I am now also doing printmaking. I have had the privilege of studying with Cynthia Blasingham this past year and have learned how to make prints using several different printmaking techniques, including woodcuts, monotypes, etching, and drypoint. I plan to continue studying printmaking and creating new prints.