The monotypes in this exhibition were inspired by elements of Abstract Impressionism and traditional Chinese brush painting combined with my love of painting landscape outdoors.
 
 Abstract Impressionism is a type of abstract painting where small brushstrokes build and structure large paintings and where small brushstrokes exhibit control of large areas, expressing the artist’s emotion and focus on inner energy. With Chinese brush painting it’s all about composition and space. The creative requirements of Chinese painting do not demand strict adherence to reality or to a particular angle of view or source of light.  The painter has complete freedom in terms of artistic conception, structural composition and method of expression.  It is favourable to create the impression that the scene is viewed from high in the air, as if seen through the eyes of a bird.
I found monotyping to be the best way to express myself through painting as monotypes are often spontaneously executed.  Monotyping is a type of printmaking made by drawing or painting on a smooth, non-absorbent surface. The surface, or matrix, was historically a copper etching plate, but in contemporary work it can vary from zinc or glass to acrylic glass. The image is then transferred onto a sheet of paper by pressing the two together.  The inks used may be oil based or water based. With oil based inks, the paper may be dry, in which case the image has more contrast.  In my case I used oil based inks on glass transferring onto Arches watercolour paper.  Unlike monoprinting, monotyping produces a unique print, or monotype, because most of the ink is removed during the initial pressing. _________________________________________________________________________________
Doug was born and educated in Hamilton and Dundas, Ontario, Canada.
He creates constructions, drawings, prints, paintings & web sites.
Doug was a longtime active member of the Hamilton & area visual art scene
participating in over 30 group exhibitions as well as several solo exhibitions from 1973 - 2004.
Doug is now living and making art in Port Colborne, Ontario.
He is currently the creative director of Niagara Moments
the on-line magazine of Niagara Gallery.

www.dougcarter.ca

www.artsplacegallery.com

www.niagaragallery.ca (go to the home page & click on Niagara Moments)

doug@dougcarter.ca