Artist Statement:
Mid-Mod Grunge
In my work with clay monotype, I seek to explore the interplay between the organic nature of clay and the immediacy of printmaking. Each monotype is a calculated experiment, a dialogue between material and process, where I embrace both control and the element of surprise. The clay surface, with its tactile texture and malleability, offers endless opportunities to create marks that are both raw and refined, spontaneous and deliberate.
Unlike traditional printmaking, where multiple impressions can be pulled from a matrix, each clay monotype is a one-of-a-kind piece. This singularity excites me—each print captures a fleeting moment in time, the creativity of my hand, the deeply integrated layers, and the interaction between clay and pigments. The process itself is an art of fleetingness, as every mark made on the clay is temporary and may disappear or reappear with the next layer.
My work is inspired by mid-century modern shapes that I can elaborate or build upon. I love the simplicity of these shapes and then adding layers to complicate and sometimes confuse them leaving the viewer to wonder. In the end I would describe my work as “Mid-Mod Grunge”.
The unpredictability of the medium fascinates me. Each print is unique, and the process is as much about discovery as it is about intention. I embrace the imperfections and the surprises that emerge—unexpected marks that appear because of past print history yet often reveal the deepest truths and layers of the material.
Through clay monotype, I aim to communicate the subtleties of texture and form, and the deeply interactive layers that can be found in the most unassuming of materials. Ultimately, my work is a celebration of the process itself, a tribute to the unexpected joys of creation, and an invitation to slow down and appreciate the wonder of what is to come.
