demonstration/creating mono-type prints Archives

Category Archives: demonstration/creating mono-type prints

New series of Monotypes

Contemplations on Samsara-1, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 11x14 in

Contemplations on Samsara-1, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 11×14 in

Meditations on Samsara is a series of monotypes based upon my practice of focus on one symbol in order to quiet the mind. This practice is the basis for this new series of works showing the slowly developing changes in the object of focus. This series of monotypes documents the many other images, which came into my mind during the practice. These other surrounding images are the inspiration for my artwork. Dream Yoga info The complete description and images from this series is within the portfolio. Meditations on Samsara

Contemplations on Samsara, in process, Kathleen Thoma, monotype, 11x14 in

Contemplations on Samsara, work in process, Kathleen Thoma, monoype, 11×14 in

Meditations on Samsara-7, Kathleen Thoma, monotype & paint, 11x14 in

Meditations on Samsara-7, Kathleen Thoma, monotype & paint, 11×14 in

Some changes on my web site as well, it has a new store format, within each of the galleries, after clicking upon an image; you can access the shopping cart.

My work now available through Saatchi Art

solar plate test

It’s been very busy year for my work. I have worked with new techniques, entered new groups and relationships and made my work available through Saatchi Art.com, in addition to my own web store. My work was in a number of shows and I look forward to the next one, which will be called “Heart Seed” in RI, starting in December.

I am sharing photos of some experimental printing techniques that I have messing around with in my studio. Since I am not yet satisfied with any of them yet, they aren’t in my galleries. It is fun to try a lot of new stuff, because if I don’t, then I get bored with my own work. Which then leads me to stop working at all. I see it as daily exercise, like a dancer or musician has to practice each day to remain in shape.

“Riot”, solar plate test, Kathleen Thoma Art

I have printed some offset postcards of some of my work, which will be available through my store soon.

Flora Post Cards

In October I attended a “Surrealist Tea” which was at The Chado Tea Room in Pasadena, to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the SCWCA. This was great fun and informative as our guest speaker was professor Gloria Orenstein.

Gloria Orenstein

It was wonderful to learn about the ignored and forgotten great women surrealist artists, (such as Leonora Carrington) of which there are many. I was taught only about male surrealists in art school, but that is a topic I won’t rant about here. The tea was great fun and I wish it would happen every year.

In my explorations of Leonora Carrington, I discovered her wonderful book, “The Hearing Trumpet”. It is funny, very surrealistic, and it should be better known. It is available through Amazon.

SCWCA Surrealistic Tea at the Chado Tea Room

Demontration/monotypes with hand-cut stencils

This is a series of photos demonstrating

the process of creating a monotype using hand-cut stencils.

First I start with my palette of colors. Choosing color depends on my mood or the idea I have in my head. Then I cut out my stencils using flexible, soft sheets of plastic, like cut-up plastic file folders.

I use a piece of plexiglass or glass for my plate. I apply thin layers of ink or paint onto the plate, playing with layers of stencils until I have what seems to be a good starting layer to put through the press. This decision is often a guess based on experience. What is fun about monotype printing is that you never have complete control over the final outcome. This can also be frustrating of course. Sometimes you don’t like the print, so you have to wipe it off and start over. (more…)