Desert (Loss) - Mixed Media Prints by Ren Adams, Exhibition Opening

First Friday, November 6, 2015 marked the artist reception and exhibition opening for Desert (Loss) - Mixed Media prints by Ren Adams.

Ren Adams produces richly layered hybrid and mixed media prints, often combining five or six different printmaking techniques, and rarely producing a work with fewer than four layers. Each piece in Desert (Loss) is composed of thin, abstracted and colorful layers of serigraphy, with Akua monotype and image transfer components.

Pieces installed for Ren Adams' exhibition

Ren says of the series:
"Desert (Loss) investigates the suspension between loss and distance, through the language of a fractured desert. These remixed landscapes imply the weirdness of the West; vastness and density become memories of memory, mutations of a white-hot encounter. Historian Simon Schama says “landscape is a work of the mind. Its scenery is built up as much from strata of memory as from layers of rock,” just as our own stories and memories are constructed of layered moments."

"Sylmar Suspension (in my nothing)," 2015.
Layered serigraphy, image transfer, monotype. Ren Adams. Sold. 

Ren remixes a haunting combination of Hollywood-infused desert moments. She says of these landscape 'memory strata'
"My strata are flattened, graphic layers, which suggest the way recollection develops a fictional sheen, with pinpoints of lucid detail; certain moments burn and remain. The play between flatness and depth asks what it means to inhabit the space between memory and experience, where fleeting exchanges flare and dissolve. My compressed imagery is remixed, just as we shuffle memories like tracks on a playlist—moments fade and recur. Some details get replayed."

"Mojave (always)," 2015. Ren Adams. Layered serigraphy and Akua monotype. 9 x 12".

During the opening, Ren also gave a demonstration on how she uses serigraphy to create these densely layered images. She showed various different photo screens, printing and also discussed the dynamic, responsive way that she creates overlaps and transparency. Watch for the video on our YouTube channel. Also, Ren teaches serigraphy workshops at New Grounds!

Ren Adams giving her serigraphy demo. Photo courtesy Michelle Marie Sharp. 

Ren also says about the pieces in this series:

"In processing a personal sense of dislocation and loss, I am drawn to the landscape of media and television—complex spaces I’ve inhabited in life and through the ambiguity of fact-fiction. Like memory, TV offers a dual sense of place, a spark of the ‘here’ and ‘elsewhere.’ Imagery inDesert (Loss) remixes my own media-infused artwork, drawing on television, personal photographs and even Google Street View to form a composite desert; a California-New Mexico-Hollywood of past and present."

You might be wondering why there are so few action shots from the evening! In addition to being our main workshop instructor here at New Grounds, she is also our press photographer and videographer, and was too busy running around! We'll add a few more installation and action shots before the show is over. 

More shots of the work in the exhibition:

"Inglewood (substance of now)," 2015. Ren Adams. Layered serigraphy and Akua Monotype. 9 x 12".

Ren Adams' vibrant, layered Serigraphs channel a technicolor Hollywood desert. Poetry is hidden in each piece, as well. 

"Foothill Freeway & Balboa (I see you in all things)," 2015. Ren Adams.
Layered serigraphy, image transfer, Akua monotype. 9 x 12".

"Vasquez Canyon Road (in this distance)," 2015. Ren Adams. 
Layered serigraphy, Akua monotype. 9 x 12".

Each piece grapples with the distance between loss and experience, memory and contact... set to a hybrid desert that combines California and New Mexico.

Krista Barrett Multi-Plate Etching Video

Krista Barrett's glowing personality and playful prints made for a great demo

On First Friday, October 2, 2015, New Grounds hosted an exhibition opening for printmaker Krista Barrett's newest series - Portals - Mixed Media Prints by Krista Barrett. 

During the opening, Krista provided a fun, multi-plate etching demonstration, where she discussed her inking, registration and printing methods, as well as the playful way that she creates rich monoprints from a selection of plates cut to identical sizes. Krista inks each plate differently each time, then combines them in diverse ways, to create entirely unique 'portals' into new, colorful spaces.

Krista inks up the second plate using Akua non-toxic intaglio color

We have cut Krista's demo into a short video, viewable on our YouTube Channel (or view it below!).

Enjoy!

Krista shows her book full of 6 x 6" plates

Portals - Mixed Media Prints by Krista Barrett, Exhibition Opening

Viewers admiring Krista Barrett's new work

On First Friday, October 2, 2015, New Grounds Gallery hosted an artist reception and exhibition opening for Portals - Mixed Media Prints by Krista Barrett. 

Work by Krista Barrett, installed in New Grounds Gallery

Work by Krista Barrett, installed in New Grounds Gallery

Krista Barrett’s layered, mixed media prints investigate portals and doors as a metaphor of transformation, change, new opportunities and beginnings. They celebrate that change is the only constant and is inevitable. It offers as many surprises as her subtly colored, detailed, one of a kind prints. 

Her intimate pieces offer viewing pleasure. 

Each 6 x 6" piece is made up of layers of etching and gravure imagery

Krista Barrett's etching demo was lively and inspiring!

Krista's demo station, with one of her many plates

Krista also gave a demonstration of her inking and multi-plate printing. Because her process often requires a number of layered plates, including copper etchings and gravure, and can take many hours to complete a print, Krista featured a few highlights and discussed her overall approach. 

You can expect a video of Krista's etching demo on our YouTube channel this month.

Viewers getting a closer look

The artist, Krista Barrett, entertaining friends and fans during the opening

Krista has shown work internationally and her pieces art part of several major collections.

Krista says of her work:

Making art is a playful process which allows me to explore my inner world more deeply and encounter the unexpected – both within and beyond myself. As I work, consciously planned elements combine with unconscious, unpredictable lines and shapes. This interaction allows me to explore spontaneity while cultivating structure and purpose.

Combining gravure and etching allows me a greater range of expression. Most of my prints are a combination of etching, gravure, monotype and mixed media. Etching on copper is my favorite technique as it allows me to combine various elements while also reflecting multiple layers and details. I etch lines and textures onto the copper plate using techniques similar to drawing and collage. I then print a working proof, which informs the next step of the process. Ideas emerge about what lines, textures or colors may enhance or develop the image. I repeatedly cycle through this process, refining the plate until the image feels complete.

Krista Barrett 

Delicious treats were provided by the Swiss Alps Bakery,
in honor of the Etsate of Amir Espat exhibition, which was featured concurrently in MATRIX

Delicious treats were provided by the Swiss Alps Bakery, 
in honor of the Etsate of Amir Espat exhibition, which was featured concurrently in MATRIX

Did you miss the opening? Don't worry. You still have the chance to view Krista's work up close, in person. The exhibition runs through October 31, 2015.

More shots from the opening:

The plates and ink Krista used during her demo

Dan Noyes is captivated by Krista Barrett's work!

Krista Barrett herself!

Two viewers closely examine the print Krista created during the demo

Stephen Lawlor Multi-Plate Etching Demo Video - Now on YouTube!

Stephen demonstrates the use of a card to selectively remove ink

Stephen Lawlor's Multi-plate etching demo video is now live on our YouTube channel! 

This is a fabulous, detailed must-see. Stephen discusses printing methods, registration and ways of wiping the plate for multi-plate etching (plus, we think he's super charming!).

Stephen Lawlor wipes a plate

The demo video was recorded on Friday, September 4, 2015, during the opening / artist reception for Ephemera- Etchings by Stephen Lawlor. Stephen was the first place winner of our 2013 International Juried exhibition, and this 2015 solo exhibition is part of the award New Grounds offered. 

View the video here:

Internationally renowned printmaker Stephen Lawlor provides a detailed, multi-plate etching demonstration at New Grounds Print Workshop & Gallery in Albuquerque, NM.

Lawlor lives and works in Dublin, Ireland and was the 2013 International Juried Exhibition Winner at New Grounds Gallery. Lawlor's multi-plate etchings have a rich tonality similar to the lushness of traditional oil paintings and in this demonstration he shows and discusses methods for inking, wiping and printing multiple plates to produce such richness (including registration methods).

Stephen gets ready to print the second plate

Stephen demonstrates the use of acid-free tissue to remove ink from the plate

Art Patronage and Master Printing At New Grounds - Desert Triangle Print Carpeta: Ruben Urrea Moreno

A work by Tucson artist Ruben Urrea Moreno printed at New Grounds
 by master printer Ren Adams

Art Patronage is not dead!

Granted, it is hard to find a patron the likes of the Medici family in 15th and 16th century Italy, who commissioned copius works of art from local artisans, and the U.S. lags way behind in supporting the arts compared to European countries, but there are exceptions.

Karl Whitaker, an avid print collector, is in the process of commissioning 30 prints by 30 contemporary southwest artists. The collection will tour as a traveling exhibition when complete.

New Grounds was fortunate enough to be chosen to print a work by Tucson artist Ruben Urrea Moreno, as part of Whitaker's project. The large-scale woodcut was editioned in September by New Grounds master printer Ren Adams.

New Grounds provides custom printing services to artists, curators and patrons of the arts, and we often have a master printer  working on an edition or series in our main studio. It's one of the many services New Grounds offers and our custom printers are respected and skilled across various printmaking techniques, including etching, gravure, relief and serigraphy (among others!).

If you're interested in having pieces printed at New Grounds, don't hesitate to contact us to discuss options!

Whitaker's commissioned project is impressive! You can read more about the piece printed at New Grounds (and about the project's larger vision at: Desert Triangle Print Carpeta: Ruben Urrea Moreno).

Moreno's piece during the duration process

Ren Adams aligns the block before printing

Ren Adams' workstation, inking the block

The main printing studio at New Grounds, with Moreno's block on our big press

Desert Triangle Print Carpeta: Ruben Urrea Moreno

Desert Triangle Print Carpeta: Ruben Urrea Moreno: Ruben Urrea Moreno from Tucson, did his print at New Grounds Print Workshop and Gallery in Albuquerque; Ruben Urrea Moreno  cr...

Brian Giza Etching Demo

Brian Giza

 In August, New Grounds Gallery presented Body and Movement - Etchings by Brian Giza.

During the exhibition opening, Brian provided a live demonstration of his dry point techniques, plus details on his process, his combination of various traditional and non-traditional approaches to etching, and his creative use of fascinating tools to produce his fresh, figurative works. Best of all, Brian goes into detail about why he draws and the idea behind his sensitive portraiture.

If you missed the original demo, or have been dying to see it again, you're in luck! We've finished the demo video and it is now available on YouTube:

Brian's inking station for the demo

New Grounds Print Workshop and Gallery YouTube Channel

View etchings by Brian Giza on our gallery website.