MONOTYPE IN MAZATLAN

By Lisa Lankins

“Art allows us to find ourselves and lose ourselves simultaneously” – Thomas Merton Every once in a while we all need a bit of inspiration. The art studio of Glen Rogers is just the place to find some, located just around the corner to the southeast of the Mazatlán Art Museum in Old Town. The second floor of this traditional Mexican house is Glen’s studio for teaching and producing lovely works of Monotype. Her web page correctly describes her as an “internationally acclaimed artist whose art includes paintings, prints, drawings, and public sculpture. Her work is inspired by ancient symbols and symbols carved on cave walls around the world. She uses archetypal symbols that are inspired by sacred geometry and the infinite forms in nature. Her work, which has an undeniably feminine quality, is both mystical and meditative and transcends into the spiritual realm.” What is Monotype? It is a unique, one of a kind, original piece of artwork. There is no recorded history of its origin, but one of the earliest artists to experiment with printing in color was doing so in the late 1500’s. An image is drawn or painted on a metal or plastic Plexiglas plate. These images are created by applying ink by rolling, brushing, daubing or otherwise applying and it may be manipulated. Then the plate is placed on a press bed and the material that will accept the print, usually paper, is laid over top and it is pressed on a printing press. A second print may be made off the same plate, but it will be much lighter. You can layer prints to get a special affect, but surely no two will ever be the same. It

may be taken home that day if you are careful; a day is required for it to be completely dry. Glen suggests a sealed frame under glass to protect the work from Mazatlán humidity and bugs. Glen has a Masters in Printmaking from San Jose State and San Francisco State Universities. She trained in etching and dry point, but at some point became disinterested in making many copies of her art. She also wanted a medium she could easily be taught to students in an hour or so. She discovered Monotype and has loved it ever since. She has been teaching since the 80’s and in Mazatlan for 2 years. She has had public art works commissioned by many cities in California including San Jose, Stockton, Richmond, Campbell, and Chico. She has worked alongside numerous schools, communities, and architects on more than 25 public artworks in the San Francisco area. Glen is the organizer for Artwalk. Artwalk is a walking tour of different artist’s studios in Old Town. It starts the first Friday in November from 4-8. Maps are available in Old Town and throughout the city. She has to bring most of her art supplies such as oil base etching inks and printmaking paper down from the States as they aren’t available here. Even her printing press was hauled down in a trailer. Other than her studio, her works are available online at the Linda Durnell Gallery. She is planning an exhibition in the bay area in the next year. She offers classes to an international community of artists with discounts for Mazatlán residents. You can see her work and classes listed on her webpage: www.glenrogersart.com or her blogpage: www.glenrogersart.blogspot.com

 

 

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