BILLIONS AND BILLIONS

This body of monoprints is inspired from a lecture by contemporary philosopher Alan Watts, titled, “The Wiggly World.” Watts describes the connection between human consciousness and the Big Bang, and discusses the challenge that society has to integrate ‘nature’ with ‘progress’. It is as if without conscience, in the same way that a rock knows nothing of the hillside that it slides down or a molecule knows nothing of the biological current that it travels, our collective culture moves with a forward momentum that exists without memory.

To create, “Billions and Billions,” I employ a variety of printmaking techniques, including Drypoint, Line Etching, and Aquatint methods. This series utilizes multiple plate printing processes that enable a spontaneous ‘quilting’ approach of assembly on the printing press bed in order to compose one large bleed print from as many as 50+ smaller etched plates. I find that arranging larger compositions from a collection of smaller pieces allows for a creative improvisation which helps to push even further how the idea of ‘drawing’ can be incorporated into today’s printmaking practice.