Description
This print was made as a pure abstract composition. Suddenly however I saw it as a coastline with two flying objects just offshore. I often see Science Fiction elements in my work, which isn’t surprising since I’ve been reading it for more than 60 years. Since they were discs I immediately thought of UFOs and the classic UFO location is of course the so-called Area 51 – or Roswell, but that will be a different print!
The print was made by gel printing with acrylic paints on paper and is about 30 cm square. It has numerous layers with a strong visual and physical texture. It is unmounted and unframed, although if you wish I can mount it on a cradled wooden panel, with black painted edges ready to hang on your wall.
During lockdown, I have made an extensive series of similar abstract prints. They represent a new direction for my work, one I intend to continue to explore for a good while yet.
What is a gel print?
Monotype prints in general are made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. This surface, sometimes called the matrix, was historically a copper etching plate. In contemporary work other materials are often used, such as acrylic sheet. The image on the matrix is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together. This usually requires a print press. Monotypes can also be created by inking an entire surface and then, using brushes or rags, removing ink to create light areas in a field of opaque colour. This is then pressed together with a sheet of paper to make the print.
The specific process I used for this print was gel printing (or Gelli but this is a trademark). The matrix in this case is a soft synthetic gel. I apply the paint to the gel sheet with rollers or brushes. The area to which the paint is applied can be controlled by masks and stencils. The rolled out paints can also be drawn into or textured in various ways. This process is repeated until I’m happy with the image.
Some of my prints made this way have over 20 separate full or partial layers. This gives subtle variations in colour and a tangible physical texture. The nature of the process allows for intense bright colours and this colourful imaginary landscape is no exception. If you look through the other items in the shop you will see many more, including many with a science fiction theme such as for example Neptune Bridge.
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