I am very excited to have received the prints from
Baren Print Exchange #67. So much so that I'm going to devote three posts to highlighting some of my favorites.
The above print is "Moondog" by Joseph Taylor, and the below print is "Fish Follies" by Anne van Oppen.
Both here and there, we focus on a creature. In one instance it is a dog, honed in on by one-point perspective, nightime isolation, and a spotlight cast by the moon. The light falls from behind the dog, and so casts a dark shadow that bleeds into the frame. I am particularly captivated by the misty, dark grey in the corner that seems even more ominous and likely to swallow him up than the pitch-black structures. The dog himself is in the moment, lapping up water or eating out of a dish. Maybe the dish has been kindly put out for him, or maybe it is merely a found object, such as the lid of a trash can. Under the raining heavens, he satisfies a most basic yearning.
In the second scene, the creature in question is a fish. She, too, eagerly consumes (in this case, a smaller fish) under a heavenly body (this time a bright and cheerful sun) and textured sky. She, too, is diminished by a man-made structure, though it is at a distance and the boat's passenger seems to celebrate her feast.
My next favorite is If I'm very still... by Jenn White. I enjoyed this image as soon as I laid eyes on it simply because of the interplay of shapes and colors. Then I examined the actual imagery, realized the wonderful tension of the moment (notice the cropped paws on the higher shelf) as well as the suggestive details found in the books and framed picture of the rabbit, and I just fell in love. Looking at this print reminds me of how I feel engrossed in bird watching or reading Walden. I should add that I'm completely impressed by the artist for making a reduction print with 13 colors for an exchange!
And last but not least I am completely enamored by the print White Line by Theresa Martin. I appreciate this creative interpretation of the technical challenge. I have a difficult time putting into words the response this image evokes in me. The best I can do for now is to share that the literal white line that wriggles up the center of this portrait immediately brought to my mind the Flamenco dancing of Antonio el Pipa accompanied by the earthy, soulful voice of his Aunt Juana. (Check out one of their performances below.)
This second print is Painted Village by Anne van Oppen, which I was drawn to in no small way because I'm venturing more into white line printmaking myself. She used watercolors and painted/printed each section one at a time, in true Provincetown printmaking fashion. She also has some wonderful printmaking demonstration videos in collaboration with Lisa Toth which can be viewed on YouTube. 
The third print is Moon Setting Over Red Barn by Bridget Pilip Murphy. I love the colors used for the layers of landscape receding back and the balance between the moon and barn. It is relaxing for me to look at this image. 
