Johanna Paas is an Assistant Professor of Printmaking at Central
Michigan University. She received her BFA from the University of
Michigan and her MFA from Louisiana State University. Working with a
variety of printing methods and materials, she creates mixed media
prints.
The work balances between representation and abstraction. The
visual divisions present in the work encourage the perception of
comparison. The organic forms allude to both the micro- and
macro-cosms that create our world. Examples include references to
celestial diagrams, aerial maps, patterns revealed in nature, genetic
encoding and biological structures.
Johanna has exhibited her work at numerous national venues,
conducted workshops at national artist communities and has been a
participant in various international exchange portfolios.
Michigan University. She received her BFA from the University of
Michigan and her MFA from Louisiana State University. Working with a
variety of printing methods and materials, she creates mixed media
prints.
The work balances between representation and abstraction. The
visual divisions present in the work encourage the perception of
comparison. The organic forms allude to both the micro- and
macro-cosms that create our world. Examples include references to
celestial diagrams, aerial maps, patterns revealed in nature, genetic
encoding and biological structures.
Johanna has exhibited her work at numerous national venues,
conducted workshops at national artist communities and has been a
participant in various international exchange portfolios.
| "Amalgamate" 2009 15" x 20" In anticipation of this collaboration, Lari Gibbons provided me with gorgeous contour drawings of birds, branches, and plants. The drawings had a beautiful line quality that was both descriptive and graphic. My motivation included manipulating these drawings to create an image that felt separate, yet reflected the basis of origination. My intent was to create an image that employed fusion in its development and content. Depicting the conceptual basis of fusion, I began to draw on her drawings. The “drawings on drawings” are the underpinning of the finished intaglio print, and are presented literally, under the surface. The bottom portion of the print is developed with a series of silkscreen prints derived from Lari’s images. The drawings have been deconstructed, and rebuilt to create something new. The end result is a fragmented pattern, fused together with layers of wash, and texture. |
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