It was while we were in Jackson Hole last September that we happened to meet a friendly person who turned out to be art director for the beautiful and prestigious Western Art & Architecture magazine. The following month we got a call from the editors saying they’d like to interview Anne and run a feature. And here it is, in their February/March issue.
This is the spread on pages 60 and 61, in a section they call Illuminations. Click it for a larger view.
The type is too small to see here, but you get the idea. Words and phrases that stand out include abstract language, universal subjects, feelings and ideas, open heart and unfiltered mind. And that’s just in the first paragraph. I’ve long known her work was superb; it’s nice to see it getting recognized by connoisseurs in the field.
Here’s the cover of this particular issue, in select stores or, of course, findable online.
Quoting Anne in the article, “I’m trying to create something visually appealing. I’m interested in writing systems, other languages. Even though we don’t know what they’re saying, the alphabets are beautiful.”
“The marks signify dialogue, the idea of language and how we communicate on a two-dimensional plane. Sometimes I’ll listen to a language I don’t understand and there’s still beauty in it. It’s the same for these marks.”
In the studio, at her press, with work in process all around.
The photo of Anne at her press helps people understand how these pieces are created. They’re called prints, but they’re not reproductions. They’re prints because they’re made on a press. They’re called monotypes (mono meaning one) because each is one-of-a-kind. Just like her.
Continuing Conversation, monotype with collage, 9.5×24. Courtesy of Eileen Thomas, Costa Mesa, California. (Click for larger view.)
“It’s a process,” she says. “Sometimes I might use colored or textured paper, but mostly I use a good white printmaking paper. Then I ink my plate and use various materials to remove ink from the plate, which will develop texture. A print takes anywhere from two to ten runs through the press. Every layer is a problem to be solved.”
“I love linocuts. I use them to create different kinds of texture and then bring in a few focal points for balance. I’m interested in beauty and mystery.”
“And I seem to come back to the circle . . . not perfect circles; I don’t want them to be perfect . . . but I’m not interested in anything square.”
Poetic Parapet, monotype, 21×14. These are the few presented in the article. For many more see www.annesprints.com.
As the article continues, her process is totally intuitive, trusting herself to add and subtract, to place a mark exactly where it needs to be.
“I have a lot of pieces in process at one time, which is very freeing. I’m not dependent on the reward of finishing anything. If something doesn’t work I can print over it. Some of my best pieces are printed over and over again. The work just happens.”
Sustainable Peace, monotype, 16×14.
From the final paragraph: Moore’s prints are widely collected in private homes across the country. She is represented by A Gallery Fine Art in Palm Desert, California; Freed Gallery in Lincoln City, Oregon; Sandstone Gallery Laguna in Laguna Beach, California; and Westervelt Fine Art in Laguna Niguel, California.
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Other Happenings . . .
Public painting and speaking at illumiNations
It’s an interesting coincidence that Anne’s article is in the section the magazine calls “Illuminations.” That’s the name of the event (spelled, illumiNations) that I painted for last year at the Ritz Carlton in Tucson. We’ll be with them again next week, this time at the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach. I’ll be painting and speaking at the same time, between 5:00 and 6:00, Friday, March 27. As it’ll be out on the lawn, bluff walk passers-by could just as well stop and watch. So, there’s an invitation for you.