Carnival represents ideas about the human experience of time. The origins of carnival are murky – it is an ancient observance which likely had its roots in the celebration of the new year and the Spring rituals of animal birth and agricultural planting. While Carnival is traditionally considered a Spring rite, in this series, I offer a mash up of dreamscape images related to Carnival, the circus and the country fair, all in celebration of my life’s journey through image making.
Varied editions of 15 prints were produced from each copper matrix, including viscosity rainbow rolls and á la poupée (unique area wiping) techniques. Printed on Rives BFK and Hahnemühle etching papers.
My Pyrrhic Victory (Reprise)
This etching required twelve drawings, three copper plates, 8 state proofs and eight months to complete.
In 279 BC, during the Pyrrhic War, King Pyrrhus’ army suffered irreplaceable casualties in defeating the Romans at the Battle of Asculum. After the battle, Plutarch related the following: “The armies separated; and, it is said, Pyrrhus replied to one that gave him joy of his victory that one other such victory would utterly undo him.”
That’s exactly how I felt when I finished this print.
Varied Edition of 15 prints with 2 Artist Proofs.
Line Etch, Aquatint, Spit Bite, drypoint. Printed on Hahnemühle etching paper.
My Pyrrhic Victory
This etching is based on the one above which I had given up on. After so much failure with the Reprise version, I took my drawing and tried a different approach using Pure Etch film (a photo etching process).
Varied Edition of 15 prints with 2 Artist Proofs.
Pure Etch, Aquatint. Printed on Hahnemühle and Rives BFK etching papers. Available here.
Hejira
Hejira is an Arabic word which in common usage, refers to an exodus or migration, and also to a “dangerous journey”.
My life’s migration began when I was fourteen years old. Nearly fifty years later, I do feel a bit like this funny little circus man, navigating a rocky sea filled with gremlins and dragons, holding himself steady with a balancing bar.
Who Can Understand the Spreading of the Clouds?
This image expresses the feelings I had looking (from the ground up) at a carnival ride. The feet of the participant riders were juxtaposed against the whirling ride; the ride spinning like an alien-ship through the cloudy night sky. I remembered my childhood wonder in discovering the myriad galaxies in the universe, the first being our own Milky Way.
The title for this print comes from the biblical Book of Job, “Who can understand how God scatters the clouds and speaks from his home in the thunderstorm?”
Varied Edition of 15 prints with 2 Artist Proofs.
Pure Etch, Aquatint. Printed on Hahnemühle and Rives BFK etching papers. Available here.
The Wizardry of Frozen Lemonade
There was a kind of magic I felt in making this print. A photo etching on copper of ghostly figures captured in a blaze of light at an annual county fair I attend each year in western Massachusetts called, The Big E (Eastern States Exposition). If you’ve never been to The Big E, go!
Ashes to Ashes
The title for this print is a variant from a children’s song. There are many interpretations to the origins and meaning of this song. I prefer the discredited version that traces this song to the 14th and 15th century European plagues.
Ring-a-ring-a-rosies
A pocket full of posies
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down
The king has sent his daughter
To fetch a pail of water
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down
The robin on the steeple
Is singing to the people
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down
The wedding bells are ringing
The boys and girls are singing
Ashes, ashes,
We all fall down
Varied Edition of 15 prints with 2 Artist Proofs.
LineEtch, Drypoint. Printed on Hahnemühle and Rives BFK etching papers. Available here.