Connie Mueller
Selected
works, Artist Statement
I began printmaking after taking a course at Lane Community College from
Kacey Joyce in 1999. With the help and encouragement of my artist-friend, Jon
Cruson, I have worked with different themes over the past 8 years, beginning
with landscape ideas from Italy, using photos and sketches to work up
compositions. In 2000 and 2001, we took trips to the Santa Fe area in New
Mexico, and I used photos taken of the churches we sought out on those trips for
image ideas. The past few years, I have enjoyed working with images taken around
Oregon, and plan to keep working with that theme.
The process of linoleum cut reduction printmaking holds a fascination and
challenge for me that I enjoy immensely. A single linoleum block is used for
each print. I draw the composition in reverse on the block with a permanent
marking pen, and then ink the block using a brayer with my first color. A piece
of printing paper is placed on the block and then run through the press. I
complete this process with at least 12 pieces of paper, inking the block each
time. I cut away the areas in the block needed to keep this first color on my
print. After the ink has dried on the first color of the edition (usually at
least 24 hours), I repeat the process with the next color that I want to use. On
some prints, this process is done over 20 times. This style of printmaking is
often called suicide printmaking because once you have cut an area away from the
block, the print cannot be changed in that area. My husband mats and frames my
work for me, making the frames from scratch, and his help makes it easier for me
to concentrate on printmaking.
Printmaking these past 8 years has been wonderfully enriching for me, and I
feel very fortunate to have the time and freedom to pursue this creative
endeavor.
Copyright Restrictions : All images are provided for reference
only and may not be reproduced without permission.
