30”x44” linoleum carving, monotype, collage
“Witness” is a series I created during an artist residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, WA. In my own development as an artist, this was a time of major breakthroughs — both in techniques and aesthetics.
In addition to my art supplies, I packed a copy of “PhotoShop for Dummies” and feverishly taught myself the basics of the program. A visit to the local library propelled me into a surprisingly large World War II section. Armed with a dozen books, I returned to my studio where I buried myself in a history I was only too familiar with — both my Armenian and Swiss families had been gravely impacted by the war — and emerged consumed with a rage that needed expression that infused the works.
This particular print came when I realized that it is war I have strong dark feelings about, not soldiers. Nowadays, if I feel courageous enough, I will approach service men and women in the street, and thank them for their commitment. To me, the story of the soldier is a complicated and socially layered one.
22”x30”, archival digital print, linoleum carving, collage
“Witness” is a series I created during an artist residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, WA. In my own development as an artist, this was a time of major breakthroughs — both from a technical and aesthetic point of view.
In addition to my art supplies, I packed a copy of “PhotoShop for Dummies” and feverishly taught myself the basics of the program. A visit to the local library propelled me into a surprisingly large World War II section. Armed with a dozen books, I returned to my studio where I buried myself in a history I was only too familiar with — both my Armenian and Swiss families had been gravely impacted by the war — and emerged consumed with overwhelming feelings that needed expression and infused the works.
This print highlights the story of a Berlin mother using a gas mask while running away to save herself and her baby.
Linoleum carving, photo etching and collage
“Witness” is a series I created during an artist residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, WA. In my own development as an artist, this was a time of major breakthroughs — both from a technical and aesthetic point of view.
In addition to my art supplies, I packed a copy of “PhotoShop for Dummies” and feverishly taught myself the basics of the program. A visit to the local library propelled me into a surprisingly large World War II section. Armed with a dozen books, I returned to my studio where I buried myself in a history I was only too familiar with — both my Armenian and Swiss families had been gravely impacted by the war — and emerged consumed with overwhelming feelings that needed expression and infused the works.
The stories and photos in the library books had for consequences a temporary loss of my ability to see the good in the world. I had lost myself. Almost without realizing it, I harnessed the energy of discouragement and despair into making this print. Everything in me was screaming to be expressed.
“Witness” is a series I created during an artist residency at Centrum in Port Townsend, WA. In my own development as an artist, this was a time of major breakthroughs — both from a technical and aesthetic point of view.
In addition to my art supplies, I packed a copy of “PhotoShop for Dummies” and feverishly taught myself the basics of the program. A visit to the local library propelled me into a surprisingly large World War II section. Armed with a dozen books, I returned to my studio where I buried myself in a history I was only too familiar with — both my Armenian and Swiss families had been gravely impacted by the war — and emerged consumed with overwhelming feelings that needed expression and infused the works.
Sometime in the middle of reading the books, I received the news that my Armenian uncle in Switzerland had died. His own story, laden with genocide and personal war related losses, morphed into that of the world and its endless wars, to give birth to “Fear and Freedom.”