"Cake"
30 x 22"
Monoprint
2007
True monoprints are made by painting with oil based inks or paints on glass, and then placing paper ( usually prepared by soaking in water to best take up the inks) on top and either running both glass and paper through a press or using a wooden spoon or other tools to press down on the reverse of the paper. Here is an example of this kind of monoprint which I made using a press at Brooklyn College.
"Shroud"
8 1/2 x 8"
Watercolor on Napkin
2007
My ghost series are actually based on a version of mono prints, as the first ( and sometimes final) stage of the ghost is an imprint of another gouache paintings. This technique originated when I was trying to figure out something to do with overworked gouaches. I had previously noted the reverse of the paper towels or rags I was using to blot the wet paintings was often more interesting than the painting blotted.
"Fan"
7 4/5 X 7 2/5"
Gouache and Block Printing Ink
2013
The works that I have in the " prints" category that list "Gouache and Printers Block ( or Relief) Ink" are another form of modified mono print, but further removed from the traditional form. For these I roll out printers ink, then place dry paper that may have existing imagery on it and draw on the reverse of the paper. As a result, the drawing appears on the front based on the pressure of the pencil, but additional ink is picked up where my hand inadvertently presses down, as well as where ink may be blobbed or runny. It is intended to be a messy and unpredictable process. After this print-drawing process I may go back into/on top of the image.