Eastern European Folk Art
My Slovak grandmother completed many needlepoints.
One of them, completed when she was 89 years old, is hanging in my office. When my mentor, Paul Yank created a series of Celtic knots, I was inspired to do the same. Then it struck me that I'm a Slovak, and should focus on Eastern European art. This series of monoprints is the result.
Many of the monoprint images are part of a series printed on 14" X 14" Rives BFK printmaking stock. High-quality reproductions known as giclees are available for much of my artwork. Contact me for more information.
Slovenske rano
Slovenske svitanie
Slovenske svitanie
This "Slovak Morning" monoprint is a traditional Eastern European rooster design in a textured floral environment, finished with ink and colored pencils.
Slovenske svitanie
Slovenske svitanie
Slovenske svitanie
This "Slovak Dawn" monoprint is the reverse of the previous image. It was printed on a darker background and has more solid floral enhancements.
Wiosenny poranek
Slovenske svitanie
Wiosenny poranek
The Tatra Mountains form the border between Slovakia and Poland, and much of the folk arm is very similar. This art is titled "Spring Morning."
Slovenska zarada
Slovenska zarada
Slovenska zarada
"Slovak Garden" is printed in a circular flower design that is very typical of Eastern European needlework. Flowers are prevalent in the composition.
Slovenske kvety
Slovenska zarada
Slovenska zarada
"Slovak flowers" is the reverse image of the previous monoprint with a darker background. The solid colors of the flowers create a higher contrast.
Wiosenne kwiaty
Slovenska zarada
Wiosenne kwiaty
"Spring flowers" complement the Polish "Spring morning" monoprint. The solid white motif of the design is a contrast to the flowers.
Celtic & Chinese Art
Celtic knots are a challenge, and China has many interesting symbols.
While watching Paul Yank complete his Celtic art knots, I was enthralled by the way the lines formed shapes and pictures. I decided to try my hand at using a single line to draw the animals that populate the sea, earth and sky. The result was several series of monoprints that it this description. And, for a change of pace, I tried my hand at a Chinese piece.
Many of the monoprint images are part of a series printed on 30" X 22" Rives BFK printmaking stock. High-quality reproductions known as giclees are available for much of my artwork. Contact me for more information.
Gorm Ean
Gorm Ean II
Rioga Ean
This Celtic "blue bird" perched on the branch is formed by a single line that starts at one the tip of tail, winds around and ends at the other tip.
Rioga Ean
Gorm Ean II
Rioga Ean
By reversing the image and changing the color palette, this "royal bird" emerged. The warmer colors give it a distinctly different look.
Gorm Ean II
Gorm Ean II
Gorm Ean II
The second "blue bird" uses the same reversed image with brown tones in the background. A total of six Celtic birds are in this series.
Gorm Iasc
Gorm Iasc II
Gorm Iasc II
Take a close look at this Celtic "blue fish" knot and you'll see that it has the same tail as the bird knot, in addition to other similar elements.
Gorm Iasc II
Gorm Iasc II
Gorm Iasc II
The fish is also drawn with one single line, starting and ending at the tips of its tail. Six monoprints are in this series. Not shown is my Celtic dragon knot.
Great Wall
Gorm Iasc II
Great Wall
This "one off" Chinese piece was inspired by the wall and the egg-like shape that became the mask. I added the dragons and Chinese characters.
Seascapes, Cityscapes and Landscapes
The shapes and colors of the world around us have always inspired artists.
The techniques of printmaking add a special touch to the look and feel of familiar subjects. Many of the finished works were inspired by the backgrounds, working back to front to finalize the compositions.
Most of these works are "one off" prints and not part of a series. They are printed on 30" X 22" Rives BFK printmaking stock. High-quality reproductions known as giclees are available for much of my artwork. Contact me for more information.
Day Light
Night Light
Night Light
This "one off" print of a lighthouse in the morning light includes the fog coming of of the water and sailboats. Seagulls in the air encircle the light.
Night Light
Night Light
Night Light
The beam of light from the lighthouse illuminates the night sky in this "one off" print. The finishing work was completed with colored pencils.
Aurora
Middle Earth
Middle Earth
This Medieval cityscape is comprised of buildings from various European cities glued together, then printed on a textured background. The sky reminded me of the aurora.
Middle Earth
Middle Earth
Middle Earth
The same buildings were finished differently and reminded me of a city from Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" books. The fog rolls in from the Misty Mountains.
Daydream
Daydream
Daydream
This "one off" collagraph was printed on a background that has a dreamlike appearance. The bald eagle and sun peeking out from the clouds create a calming landscape.
Peace
Daydream
Daydream
This "one off" stylistic Middle Eastern cityscape was designed as a Christmas card. The starry night sky has a Vincent van Gogh quality to it.