Melanie Morrett
Monotype framed, 29" x 23"
Monotypes are a unique type of printmaking because of the unique textural qualities that are possible. This one of a kind monoprint was created by rolling black etching ink on a smooth plate with a roller. I found some very interesting plant life during a fly-fishing trip in Wisconsin last year which I brought home, hoping I could use it in some way. At times I spend hours arranging and rearranging the natural materials around on the plate until I achieve a pleasing composition. Next, I took a piece of damp acid free etching paper and laid on top of the plate and hand crank it through my etching press. As the plate passes underneath the large steel roller, it presses the paper down onto the plate and when I lift up the paper on the other side, the ink has now been transferred to the paper that was on the plate. What is really neat about this print is the wonderful 3 dimensional impressions left behind where the plant life was, so even though that area is white, you can see a lovely visual impression of what I used to create the image you now see. The plate itself has no permanent markings or incisions therefore it is not possible to create an edition of the unique print that was created.
This medium and process can be a little unpredictable at times, but the truth is, there is a remarkable transparency and layering quality possible that is hard to achieve otherwise. I can spend many hours on one and it be a total flop, but then there are times it is so exciting to see my vision come to life through the happy surprises the medium can provide. While they don’t all turn out to be masterpieces, I always learn something new from them and they stretch my imagination like nothing else I do.
I numbered it 1/1 meaning, there is only one piece of art bearing this image. All framing materials used are acid free.
