ARTIST'S STATEMENT
The genesis of the monotype series from which this piece comes was my experience at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in Michigan where I was artist-in-residence in 1998. I went to observe and work with the park’s Cambrian and sandstone rock formations as a means to further expand the geological and archeological sources in my work. Much to my disappointment I found myself living in a ranger’s cabin many miles away from the cliffs. Nearby, however, was a magnificent 12-mile stone-strewn beach bordering Lake Superior. A stream, also lined with stones, flowed into the lake. Using images of the stones (miniature versions of the large formations further away) and the movement of water in the stream I was able to continue my exploration of deep geologic time as a metaphor for the evolving, complex nature of human experience.
In subsequent work I continued the beach stone iconography and reference to patterns of ‘flow’ adding new information or “flotsam”, both biomorphic and man made, to the imagery. This current work no longer references the stones and water specifically but focuses on the layering and drifting of signs. I continue to use the vehicle of ‘flow’ to incorporate new ideas and imagery into my prints.
My monotypes are made using Plexiglas plates, stencils and hand additions.