Artist Statement

I am interested in history, mystery and memory. My primary subject has always been light, natural or man-made. Light shapes and affects my perception of objects and nature. I am inspired by what I see: my prints recall a specific place and time; a mood triggered by light, colors and forms.

I created my first color etching over 40 years ago in art school. I began as a painting and drawing major but immediately became fascinated with printmaking. Etching combined my love of color with drawing, as etchings can be both linear and tonal. Using multiple plates as I do is a very slow process. This “lack of immediacy” is something that I have always enjoyed about my etching process as it provides time to study the image as it progresses, and time to make decisions.

My multi-plate color etchings are created using a process called "color separation." I etch red, yellow, blue and black copper plates which are inked and printed on a press sequentially, “wet on wet,” producing secondary colors as well as browns and grays. This results in a diversity of colors and textures with a look that is unique to this medium. Recently, relief prints have become a part of my repertoire. Certainly, my knowledge of color separation etching has informed these multi-block linocuts. My goal is to simplify my images; to become bolder.

Part of the joy of printmaking is the unexpected. No matter how much planning and experience is brought to an image, the print takes shape as it emerges, changing as it progresses. Even after more than 40 years, the challenges of the work and the excitement of watching the print progress remain both inspiring and motivating.