Gallery Archives - Kathleen Thoma Art

Finding abstract patterns in nature

I am always finding abstract patterns in nature, I often use color for the starting point. Wing studies of birds, butterflies and other insects have a mysterious way of ending up in my sketchbook.

Study of wing pattern & color

I used the abstract patterns and colors from the wing study. Taken out of their original context, the image doesn’t make you think of butterflies at all. I’ve used the same colors as starting points in a number of variations, using the repetitions to create new patterns. Here is the finished monotype, which I’ve titled “Sea Flight”.

Sea Flight
Kathleen Thoma
monotype
12 x 24

Where does color inspiration come from?

Kathleen Thoma,Holi Hai Dancing,2012,monotype,12x24

“Holi Hai Dancing” 2012, monotype, 12 x 24 inches

It seemed that a rainbow had exploded on the streets of New York city during the 2012 festival of Holi Hai. My family and I happened to be in New York City that day, and became curious about this ancient spring festival we saw advertised. Once we found it, we were glad. I feel it would be very difficult to remain in a bad mood for long in the midst of such a joyful music, dancing and singing.

The slinging of colored powders between the laughing crowds of people was so childish, and that is what also made it seem so creative to me. I saw it as a constantly moving painting with each person’s face becoming a small multi-colored canvas of colored powders, changing shape with each dancer’s movement. (more…)

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…)