Monotype means "one print". The method appeals to many painters because it allows great spontaneity in  creating the final print. I do my monotypes on a sheet of plastic. I paint directly on that with oil paint, using a retarding medium if the paint is drying too fast. When the painting is finished it is printed on the paper I have selected using a hand press or silver spoon to rub the back of the print. It is great fun to do these prints! I love fine papers and have a collection of wonderful printmaking papers and  some beautiful Japanese printmaking papers that make really different impressions.

Connecticut Sunset

Size: 16 x 25

Framed in Gold Nielsen

I lived on an island near Mystic, the well-known town with the Seaport Museum and Aquarium. The island was connected to the mainland by a causeway. Often, when I came home at twilight there was a beautiful sunset sky reflected in the water of the cove. I must be a hazardous driver because I am prone to slamming on the brakes at such moments to fish out the camera.

$150
 

Three Peppers

Size: 5½ x 15

Framed in Silver Nielsen

I am very fond of drawing and painting peppers. I love their shapes, and of course the colors are superior, not to mention their great taste! I believe I did this monotype in a workshop I gave in Tampa.

$100

private collection

Objects d'Art

Size:

This monotype has as its main subject a chicken that came from a gift shop that had unusual items from around the world. I believe this attractive chicken figure came from Bali.

$145
 

Earth (from the Elements Series)

subtitled "Pottery and Radishes"

Size: 22 x 26

Framed in plain wood gallery style with single matte

The next four images are from a series of monotypes that were inspired by the Elements: Earth, Wind, Fire, and Water. Two were sold but two remain as separate  monotypes. For Earth I used a set of black Wedgwood pottery to represent the stuff of earth, and the radishes which are very earthy vegetables while looking wonderfully red.

$180

Wind (from the Elements Series)

subtitled "Sailing on a Sea of Brocade"

Size: 22 x 26

Framed in plain wood gallery style with single matte

Here wind is represented by the two model sailing ships mounted on a drapery of blue brocade which of course represents the sea.

$180

Fire (From the Elements Series)
subtitled "Lamps and Candles)
Size: 22 x 26

The lamps and candles in this monotype were assembled in semi-darkness and I got the idea of how the light radiated from each of them by looking at it for awhile, then turning on the lights, then turning them off, then on, until the painting was finished. It was an exhausting exercise!

NFS

private
collection

Water (from the Elements Series)

subtitled "Flower and Fishes"
Size: 22 x 26

I put this still life together and started to work on it, but knew that something was missing. It came to me that I needed something orange to balance the flower. It was a good thing that the local pet store was located down the street from my studio. The fish survived in their new home for quite awhile after the print was done.

NFS

private
collection