The Miasma Theory

Back when Cholera was a huge problem, a very popular theory as to how it spread was called The Miasma Theory. Basically, everyone thought bad air full of Cholera was hanging over the towns - so why spend all that money to build sewers!

Anyway, this piece came out of  a mish-mash of things: a desire to use and combine wonderful old photos, thoughts about manipulating images so they imply some kind of narrative (however murky or confusing), and the need for neon pink to make an appearance.

What's the story? Was it an inside job?

Too bad computer screens are small. This print is much larger in person, and the details are delicious.

The book in which I learned about miasma and the building of the London sewer system is a really great read, and one I want to recommend. It's Dreams of Iron and Steel by Deborah Cadbury. The story about the Brooklyn Bridge and the bends is a fascinating one too!


Miasma Theory
2012, 2-color lithograph

We All Have Them

Eggshell Fragile Human Hearts
2010, Dyed Eggshell Mosaic

An Old Russian Saying

A friend and fellow printmaker told me a great saying that goes,
"Every joke is at least part joke."

That is the title of this print, but I think it is more fun to let you dream up all the possible links between the words and the imagery than for me to tell you what I was thinking when I created this mythical man.

I hope your thoughts snake out of your head like the myth-man's tuberous, gelatinous protuberances.

An experiment with mixing methods, the fellow was originally an etching who I scanned and added photoshopped "thoughts" to, then made into a photo litho plate (which then obviously ends up a lithography print).


Every Joke Is At Least Part Joke
2012, Lithography

Hootenanny

Hootenanny! Hootenanny!
Spread the word along now --

fetch yer ma 'n pa and get your Uncle John
don't forget to fetch your brother Larry
tell Aunt Madge -- she'll tell the rest of town!

Mother's ruin, tub juice, white mule, red eye
pour that sloe gin, thick and sweet.
Don't get sicker, flow that liquor,
lose your problems, prop yer feet!

Come on now Sissy, don't get washy-wishy!
Pop the cork and you'll see
that your tipple makes a fiiine ripple.

Moonshine, corn-squeezin's,
pass that bottle of rum;
canned heat -- can't be beat!
We're on our way to fun!


Hootenanny
2011, letterpress, collograph, hand binding

Printing Circa '09 & '10

Sometimes you squiggle

linoleum cut

sometimes you concentrate

letterpress with lead type

sometimes you doodle

linoleum cut

sometimes you meditate

monotype

sometimes it works.

Just one of many odes to printmaking I intend to write.

Mixed Media

full bed quilt

metal wallpiece (etched, cut and soldered copper, nickel and silver. also marbles.)

birthday card

In the Beginning...

there were little things;

humble joys;

small efforts, simple ideas;

 ok, maybe not always.

But they still hoped it would eventually add up to something.