Gillyin Gatto Machias, Maine USA
'The Map Maker'
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Artist's comments ...
Gillyin Gatto
Machias ME USA
Email: bobcatpath@207me.com
Print Title: The Map Maker
Paper Dimension: 15 x 10 "
Image Dimension: 14 7/8 x 9 7/8 "
Block: linoleum
Ink: Van Son Oil Base Plus – Black
Paper: Printmasters
Edition: 100Comments: The Map Maker is a sequel to a 20 x 50" woodcut I did for the Equinox Petroglyph Show . A project by women artists who got together to experience and then do art about the petroglyphs in Machias Bay. It turned out to be a great show and has been traveling to venues around Maine for three years. I am a little slow in doing another piece compared with other of my colleagues, but the outcome of this print was well worth the wait. I was totally surprised by what the black and whites did when I first printed the block . Images that I had not planned appeared and caused the images I was aware of working on, to pop out slowly. Not only is the print visually alive, it relates profoundly with other artists' work in our group . One of those works was a prose poem which mention a BEACHED WHALE three times. I had forgotten the whale in poem but was definitely responding to the active act of "pecking stone" to make petroglyphs: the OLD WOMAN is making a map for future people to read
the HERON is making a foot track map
the three different textures of rock make a map which turned into a WHALE
the little DOG is making a map in his mind of the land to guide his friend home
the OCEAN is making a map with the TIDES
which will wear away the petroglyphs
so someday we won’t be able to see them
more at www.equinoxpetroglyphproject.org
...Thanks to the [Baren] as always for providing the motivation and a deadline which can relate to my individual life as an artist and cause me to create something I love. It is always worth the effort, to make the effort, to do an exchange!