LYNN — There’s a one-of-a-kind art show drawing oohs and aahs at LynnArts main gallery, where the Monotype Guild of New England is presenting “Pressing Matters,” its annual members’ open exhibition, through Nov. 2.
Last Friday evening, Guild artists held an opening night reception that attracted many curious art lovers who wondered “What the heck is a monotype?”
Exhibition co-chair Kate Higley is used to that question. There’s not an easy answer, she said. “The answer to that keeps changing. We think we have a definition and guidelines, and then someone comes up with something new. The definition is constantly evolving and expanding.”
Higley, co-chair Andrea Warner and vice president Rebecca Leopoldina Torres agree that a monotype is the most simple form of printmaking. It’s a unique print, a one-of-a-kind transfer of an inked or painted image created by the artist on a blank smooth surface (a plate made of metal, glass, plastic) to paper or canvas. There are myriad opportunities for the artist to experiment and manipulate the image. When completed, a sheet of paper is placed on top of the image, and the plate with the paper on top is run through a press or transferred by applying hand pressure. It creates a one-of-a-kind artwork that cannot be exactly duplicated. Sometimes a plate is run through the press multiple times, to add additional ink and imagery to the print, building beautiful layers of color and texture.
Warner’s specialty was watercolors until she discovered monotypes. Eighteen art classes later, she was on her way.
“This group is very welcoming,” she said. “The thing is, printmakers are very social. We aren’t afraid to ask ‘How did you do this?’ We want to know the process and we’re all happy to share information. The truth is, sometimes we don’t always know what we did to get a certain look. That’s part of the fun of monotypes and printmaking.”
“Our mission is to showcase any work in monotype in any medium,” said Higley, of Eliot, Maine. “We do two or three shows a year, big undertakings for an all-volunteer organization. This might be the favorite show; members tend to bring their favorite pieces.”
Drew Russo, executive director of Lynn Museum/LynnArts, who attended the opening, contacted the Guild three years ago about staging a show in downtown Lynn. “They were here in 2009, and their show was a big hit. I wanted them back as soon as possible. It took awhile, but it was worth the wait.”
“LynnArts is a great venue for our show,” said Higley. Visitors to the gallery will be wowed by the collection of colorful images on display.
The Monotype Guild of New England is an all-volunteer organization of about 250 members. Two North Shore artists — Amy Hourihan of Marblehead and Kelly Slater of Saugus — are among the 46 artists whose work is represented here. Artists from every New England state plus New York, Tennessee, California and Oregon are taking part.
“Pressing Matters: Monotype Guild of New England Open Exhibition,” at LynnArts Gallery, 25 Exchange St., through Nov. 2. The gallery is open Fridays, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. www.lynnmuseum.org and www.mgne.org.
