Portfolio

abstract & nature inspired monotypes

Meditations on Samsara

Nature

In this portfolio I have images abstracted from observations from nature and dreams. I often collect color ideas and combinations during walks outside, by allowing them to change shapes as I create. It is a fluid process, which becomes a sort of dream-state as I create. Before I start to work on preparing a plate for printing, I have created sketches, a color plan, and hand cut stencils.

Abstract

In this portfolio I have a series of abstract patterns and colors found in nature, dreams, fire and water. Much of their creation happens as I translate the world around me and inside of me into shapes and colors. Before I start to work on preparing a plate for printing, I have created sketches, a color plan, and hand cut stencils. I often change my plans as I work, waiting to see how the image develops and allowing for spontaneous changes, often dumping my beginning plans altogether. It is never a fixed plan anyway.

Invitations

I began to get ideas with the discovery of 7 new exoplanets in the constellations of Aquarius, only 40 light years away (235 trillion miles) from earth. I imagined a visual, symbolic language used in a series of invitations to our planet, inviting us for a visit. This shows the ones posted so far using montypes, collages.

Relief Prints

Signed limited edition relief prints, lino-cut, with plain, black frame, photo below gallery

Each portfolio above opens into a gallery and store

photo of series called Meditations on Samsara

Meditations on Samsara series, monotype with gold paint

About Kathleen Thoma

My recent work has been a return to intersection of dreaming, spirit, and the creative impulse. I show the inner meditations, which come into existence during the exploration of dreams, moods, colors and forms, as each image appears. I take a long time with each plate. I use many layers, stop and start again while I listen to what each image wants as it comes into being. My images are pieces of my many dreams. I share them out of some inner compulsion which all artists have.

These days my primary medium of expression is with monotypes, however I am constantly exploring with relief, chine colle and collage. I cut all of my own stencils by hand, these shapes are plucked from some unknown source in my head, or from nature’s kind inspiration.

To me, the best part of creating with anything new is the unknown journey and it’s mysterious destination.

Kathleen Thoma creating a monotype in her studio

Working at West Cove Studio

Monotype printmaking is a medium which seems to demand spontaneous action. This appeals to me, I enjoy losing control after so many years of illustration work, which requires a detailed plan for every aspect of the finished artwork.

I had a great teacher.She pushed us hard, she kept on saying “Don’t think! Just do it! Make ten prints in the next hour!” We would all groan and look at her like she was crazy. But, somehow, with someone saying that to us over and over again, we all did it. And we made good prints. When they were all up on the wall we were all happy about our work. What a great teaching it was, this was an experience of trusting the flow of creative energy using our experience as artists to push on through our fears and simply create without fear.

Garden, Kathleen Thoma, monotype 12 x 24

Privacy Policy

I thought that I would post some of my recent images, which continue my explorations into the intersection between dreaming, spirit and the creative impulse.

Evocation of Spring, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, relief, chine colle, 14x11in,

“Evocation of Spring” begins with a memory and a dream. The dream involves the image of huge open book, which has forms within it that I am still learning how to read. The memory is from childhood, of the delicate colors of spring flowers and the sound of rain falling into a pond. Using abstract symbols to express sound was a fun challenge, which I have played with in the past. Many of my previous works were created by remembering the sound of drums, or by listening to drums as I work.

Perennial Mosaic, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, relief, chine colle, 14x11in

“Perennial Mosaic” is another dream-like image, a collection of impressions from plants, sound patterns, and the colors of summer. These appeared to me as a mosaic of shapes, so I allowed them to grow together.

A Woman’s Psyche, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, relief, collage, chine colle, 11x14in

“The Psyche of Woman” shows the symbiotic relationship between human and nature as it should be, when humans are working to support our world instead of working against it. The woman is in her separate space, yet she is dependent upon her surroundings, whether or not she is aware of it.

These monotypes will be in my portfolio gallery very soon.

I am very happy that I was accepted into the Los Angeles Printmaking Society! I loved their recent show “Air, Water and Earth” at the Muckenthaler Cultural Center in Fullerton, CA. I spent a great deal of time at the show, just taking it all in. I look forward to showing my work with them when the time is right.

Kathleen Thoma Art

Hand-pulled, Fine Art Printmaking

Portfolio

Each portfolio above opens into a gallery and store

About Kathleen Thoma

To me, the best part of creating with anything new is the unknown journey and it’s mysterious destination.

Privacy Policy

Recent Posts

Dreaming, Spirit and the Creative Impulse

New series of Monotypes

What have I been up to? Preparing for fall events…

New work, shows, invitations from the 7 planets

My work now available through Saatchi Art

Studio News-new work-LA Printers Fair

The Many Levels of Creative Exploration & Expressive Arts

Showing at the LA Printers Fair 2015

What is a Monotype?

Ode to Winter,inspiration