ARTIST STATEMENT
I am an artist and print-maker, specializing in Intaglio printmaking; more specifically etched lino,collagraph and copper plate etching. My subject matter is largely landscape, mankind’s effect on the landscape and structures within the landscape. I am fascinated by both the topography and geography which lead me to pictorially describing a “birds eye” view of the landscape surface.
Whilst this element of my artistic interest will always remain, since moving to the USA I have been fascinated with architectural structures created by birds and animals as well as the rolling topography and rocks of what was once a glacial landscape. Rocks, shells, birds nests and wasp nests have been intriguing subject matter for me.
Whatever the subject focus, movement by the elements is also something that I find intriguing and is a constant throughout my work. It can be wind moving through grass or water, or rain falling from the sky or even the constantly changing light and color in Michigan.Although my prints might appear to be “abstract’ in the finished work; the foundation is always figurative drawing. Sometimes the ideas mesh to become an abstract piece and quite often the printmaking process dictates the final imagery.
Making my own paper has also become part of my artistic journey. Not only do I have the ability to custom make the size, texture and color for any particular piece, it also moulds itself perfectly to the deep intaglio of the plates I create..Although the paper I make appears somewhat thick and sturdy it has the element of fragility especially when damp. Some happy accidents have occurred due to this and led to new paths being explored. My own hand made papers are very pliable and can be pushed deep into the groves when put through the etching press. Some of the papers I have made remind me of skins or hides which is very appropriate for my imagery.I enjoy the unpredictability of printmaking very much as one never knows what you will get until you take the print out of the press.
EDUCATION
1989 - 1990 Chelsea College of Art & Design M.A. Printmaking London SW3
1986 - 1989 Canterbury College of Art & Design Canterbury, Kent B.A. Honors in Fine Art (1st Class)
1983 - 1985 Suffolk College Dept of Art and Design Ipswich BTEC Diploma in General Art & Design
AWARDS
2019 First Prize in AAWA Juried show, Ann Arbor
2010 Second prize in AAWA Group Exhibition at Ann Arbor Library
2004 Ann Arbor Arts Center, USA, ‘The Print’ exhibition – Honourable mention
2003 Chambersburg Area Council for the Arts Miniature Art Exhibition – Honourable Mention
1999 The Julian Trevelyan Prize awarded at the National Print Exhibition
1990 Shared first prize by the Trustees of the British Institution Fund at the Royal Academy of Art
1990 The Julian Trevelyan Prize awarded at Chelsea College of Art
PRIVATE COLLECTIONS
Le Talbooth, Dedham, Essex, UK.
Box Art - Derek and Jean Baitey, Suffolk, UK.
Tenterden Vineyards, Kent, UK.
J. Thomas, Somerset, UK.
A. Ormond, Berkshire, UK.
S. Jones, Dorset, UK.
Mr and Mrs C. Caley, Suffolk, UK
S. Ager MI, USA.
S. Nakouzi Phillips, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
S. Manville, Whitmore Lake, MI, USA
John Fuchs and Jeanne Kero, Whitmore Lake, MI, USA
Lisa Hesse, Ann Arbor MI, USA
Laura and Archie Cowan, Whitemore Lake, MI, USA
K. Wilson , Ann Arbor , Mi USA
J. Yarborough Bowe, Saline, MI, USA
M. Kenneway-Sundermann, Pinckney, MI, USA
M. Meagher-Huston, Ann Arbor MI USA
EXHIBITIONS
2020 Northville Arts House, Re-Imaging Printmaking: Kath Frajbis and Dennis Gordon.
January 3rd - February1st 2020
2019 AAWA Fall Exhibition at Ann Arbor Library, MI, USA
2019 35th Council For the Arts Miniature Art Exhibition, Chambersburg, PA, USA
2019 4th Red Dot Mini Print Exhibition (touring show) UK
2019 AAWA Summer Group Show, Ypsilanti MI
2019 AAWA Group Show at Mallets Creek Library,
Ann Arbor, MI USA
2010 AAWA group show at Ann Arbor Library, MI, USA
2010 New Centre, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2010 Keller Williams Realty Office, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2009 Group show with AAWA at Curves, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2009 Thredz in Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2009 Group show with AAWA at Wholefoods, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2009 AAWA Spring Exhibition, Ann Arbor Library, MI, USA
2009 AAWA Summer Exhibition, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
2009 Circle of Art, Saline Picture Framing Company, Saline, MI, USA
2009 Dexter Library, MI, USA
2009 Eagle Crest Conference Centre, Ypsilanti, MI, USA
2004 Ann Arbor Arts Center, ‘The Print’ exhibition & competition, MI, USA
2003 Chambersburg Area Council for the Arts Miniature Art Exhibition, PA, USA
2003 16 Hands Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2002 Washington Street Gallery, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
2001 Exhibited with the River Gallery, Chelsea, MI, USA
2002 Exhibited with The Biddle Gallery, Wyandotte, MI, USA
2001 22nd Annual Michigan Artist’s Competition, Battle Creek Art Center, MI, USA
2000 Newport Road “Garage Sale”, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
1999 Christmas Art Fair, Printmakers Council, London, UK
1999 The Minho, Canning House, Belgravia, London, UK
1999 Ipswich Art Society, Corn Exchange, Ipswich, Suffolk, UK
1999 The Graphic Link II, Print Europe Group Show, Braintree Town Museum, Essex, UK
1999 “The sky, the sea, and the bit in between” Burton Art Gallery, Bideford, Devon, UK
1999 Falmouth Arts Centre with Printmakers Council, Cornwall, UK
1999 Eastern Arts Open Exhibition, Kings Lynn, Norfolk, UK
1999 National Print Exhibition at The Mall Galleries, London, UK
1998/1999 Gainsborough's House Print workshop show, Gainsborough's House Gallery, Sudbury, UK
1998 FAHREN One-woman exhibition at the Box Gallery, Tattingstone, Suffolk, UK
1998 St. John's Smith Square Café Gallery, London, Gainsborough's House Society Group, UK
1998 Group Show, Gainsborough's House Society, Heffers Bookshop Gallery, Cambridge, UK
1997 Group Show, Gainsborough's House Society, Graham Oldham Gallery, Ipswich, UK
1994 One Women Show at Karen Douglas Interiors, Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK
1994 Young Blood, Corn Exchange, Ipswich, UK
1991 One Woman Show of Prints at 'Frames by Robert', Woodbridge, Suffolk, UK
1991 Young Blood, St Lawrence's Church, Ipswich, UK
1991 Extra-Ordinary Exhibition at The Mina Renton Gallery, Pimlico, London, UK
1990 Art '90 at The Business Design Centre, Islington, London, UK
1990 MA mid year show at Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, UK
1990 MA Show at Chelsea College of Art and Design,London, UK
1990 The Henry Butcher Prize Exhibition at Chelsea College of Art and Design, London, UK
1989 Degree Show '89 at Canterbury College of Art and Design, London, UK
1988 Group Show at Darwin College, University of Kent, UK
1987 "To Hell and Back" (Work from Norway) Two Printmakers at the Herbert Read Gallery,
Canterbury College of Art and Design, UK
1987 Group Exhibition at the Bonner Road Gallery, Whitechapel, London, UK
1985 Two Woman Exhibition at Bentwaters USAF Base Library, UK