MARSHA KARTZMAN

Artist Statement

My work is defined by the making of marks. The images in my work begin in my observations of the forms around me and could as easily be from the natural world as from man made objects in the urban landscape. My intention is to transform and ultimately reinvent these different elements. I am an explorer using marks and forms to push the boundaries of color and shape. I work in three mediums, oil painting, monotype and handmade paper, which allows me to use the differences in each to cross pollinate and extend my exploration of the relationships created by marks, forms and colors.

Monotypes
The monotypes begin organically by my use of natural objects, such as flowers, moss, string, twigs. These elements play an integral part in the composition as they are laid down while I am painting onto the glass plate. Once through the press, the objects leave dimensional abstract impressions on the paper which is the starting point for my enhancement of the monotype. I then rework the image using crayons, watercolor and watercolor pencil to join the natural to the abstract and create an enhanced monotype. My monotypes have been shown at the Firehouse Center for the Arts, Newburyport, Massachusetts, and, most recently, at the Mayor’s Gallery, City Hall, Boston.

"Circus"