Steve MacFarlane
(Seattle, Washington USA)
Artist Website
Introspection, Monotype, 30" x 22"
I have always especially loved the expressiveness of drawing. In my work I strive to bring both accuracy and abstraction as a way of expressing feelings and emotions. Combining my love for the figure with a passion for drawing and color, printmaking is a perfect form of expression for me. Monotypes provide the best combination of the gestural aspects of drawing and the emotional presence of color and pattern. I find the immediacy of the process particularly satisfying. The pressure of the press changes the consistency of the ink as it is embedded in the fibers of the paper, the image essentially becoming a part of it. There is a surprise element that is also satisfying since I can never completely anticipate the result as the paper comes off the plate. It constantly amazes me how rich yet delicate monotypes can be. By working directly and intuitively, I strive to distill each piece down to its essential components in a direct yet spontaneous way.