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MARKO SPALATIN / STUDIO TOUR | ||||||||||||
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My studio is located west of Madison in the rolling hills of Blue Mounds, Wisconsin. The building, constructed in the 1890s, was formerly a country school. I have lived here with my family since 1971. |
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Titling, numbering, and signing an Akumal III limited edition print |
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Preliminary Sketching | ||||||||||||
In creating my work, the initial concept is developed through a progression of small-scale drawings. These drawings represent the exploratory part of the process necessary for discovering the potential of an idea. |
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View Sketch Gallery | ||||||||||||
View Artist's Statement | ||||||||||||
Printmaking (Serigraphy) | ||||||||||||
I create my serigraphs using a particular silkscreen printing technique which I developed in the mid-1960s as an art student at the University of Wisconsin. This method allows for accurate editioning using floating stencils rather than permanent ones. Throughout a color run, the ink itself holds the stencil in position on the screen. Each color application involves two back-and-forth squeegee strokes of equal pressure in order to keep the stencil from shifting out of position. |
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I use architectural tracing paper as the stencil (blocking material). With a single-edge razor blade and straight-edge tool, I carefully cut away the areas through which the ink will pass onto the printing paper. The tracing paper that remains acts as a resist on the screen. The color is printed on every sheet of paper in the entire edition, and each print is transferred to an adjacent drying rack. When the run is completed, I remove and discard the stencil, clean away the remaining oil-based ink from the screen with turpentine, and prepare for the next color. The process of cutting a stencil is repeated for each color, and each color requires a separate printing. |
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Works on Canvas | ||||||||||||
Creating a successful painting begins with building a sound and accurate stretcher. I craft my stretchers from carefully selected high-quality redwood. |
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Equally important is the proper stretching of the canvas. It is crucial to achieve firm and even tension. |
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Each area of color is then masked out on the canvas and brushed in with several coats of acrylic paint. I tune the colors as I paint. |
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work on canvas / works for classical guitar |
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Commissioned work on canvas for public installation at Ten East Doty Building in Madison, Wisconsin |
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1977 |
NEW: Geoform Interview
ARTWORK COPYRIGHT © 1969-2005 MARKO SPALATIN
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