While the medium of paper was once primarily used for writing and sketching—thought of as a mere starting point before applying a subject to canvas—today we see artists exploring paper in numerous creative ways. The advent of printmaking alone allowed artists fantastic opportunity to play with unique color, shape and design not previously available.
David Klein Gallery, Bolted 8, unique etching, gouache, color pencil, lacquer and glitter, 16 x 14”, by Kelly Reemsten.
Artists like the multidisciplinary artist Alexander Calder (1898-1976), who is known as a pioneer of wire sculpture, created works on paper that also helped defined the artist’s career. Works like the Moon and Waves, a gouache and ink on paper piece, was featured in the exhibition Calder: In Motion at the Seattle Art Museum that closed in August of this year—the first of many exhibitions at SAM that will highlight Calder’s art and its ongoing impact.
“We look forward to sharing these wonderful works…that highlight the dynamic and ever-changing qualities of [Calder’s] art,” says exhibition curator and SAM deputy director José Carlos Diaz. “Calder’s experimental approach was informed by his travels throughout the United States and Europe, particularly France; appreciation for contemporary entertainment, such as the circus and modern dance; and admiration for fellow artists, both those who came before him and his contemporaries. Throughout his career, he surrounded himself with a creative circle that encouraged his continual push against limits…”
Chase Young Gallery, Night Valley, flashe, acryla gouache, yupo, ink and resin on wood panel, 60 x 96”, by YoAhn Han
Contemporary artists like Kelly Reemsten, represented by David Klein Gallery, highlights themes involving women’s equality, and also explores various paper mediums. “Printmaking is something that has captured my interest for as long as I can remember,” she says. “It is very technical, and I love the physicality of it. I have invested time into learning nearly all of the printmaking techniques. There are so many options and seemingly endless combinations.”
Reemsten’s current medium of choice or her “obsession,” is gouache over a printed etching—seen in works like Bolted 8. “I love the way the paper will accept the water based medium and the oil from the etching ink acts as a resist,” the artist shares. “My thin layers of gouache build up, but because of this resist, you can still see the etched line.”
Korean, U.S.-based artist, YoAhn Han,employs paper into his mixed media pieces in quite a special way, by applying Yupo—a synthetic paper known for its versatility. “Using Yupo is a stubborn but satisfying process,” Han explains. “The paper allows liquid paint to sit without permeating the material; then as the paint dries, a pattern of shapes is revealed. This magical process works hand in hand with my precise X-Acto knife paper-cutting method. The materiality of Yupo (polypropylene) allows for meticulous, detailed cutting without tearing.”
Seattle Art Museum, Moon and Waves, 1963, gouache and ink on paper, 29 ½ x 41”, by Alexander Calder (1898-1976). Promised gift of Jon and Mary Shirley, © 2023 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York, photo: Nicholas Shirley; Blue Rain Gallery, Best Cheat, ink and pigment on paper, 10 x 7”, by Ugly Pie.
For his piece Night Valley, available through Chase Young Gallery, Han showcases this process, and we see the artist’s interpretation of Irworobongdo, “a traditional Korean folding screen painting with a highly stylized landscape of a sun, moon and five peaks,” says the artist. “This imagery was always set behind the Eojwa, a king’s royal throne during the Joseon Dynasty. I used the five peaks motif and ultramarine background as groundwork for a reimagined landscape—an homage to the imagery’s cultural significance.”
Read on to learn more about the innovative approaches today's top artists are applying to the versatile medium of paper, from the artists directly as well as the galleries that represent them. Gabriel Mozart Abeyta, known as Ugly Pie, represented by Blue Rain Gallery, draws inspiration for his works on paper from his rich artistic heritage. He’s the son of renowned artist Tony Abeyta and fashion designer Patricia Michaels. Embracing his unique identity, he explores unconventional beauty and confronts fears through his art, embodying a rebellious style.
Blue Rain Gallery, Rabbit Hunter, ink and pigment on paper, 24 x 18”, by Ugly Pie; Blue Rain Gallery, Stop Monking Around, ink and pigment on paper, 24 x 18”, by Ugly Pie; American Artists Professional League, Black and White Warbler, graphite on paper, 9 x 7”, by Janis Mattson
Influenced by eclectic sources like Twin Peaks and the Quay Brothers, the artist nurtured his creativity in Taos, New Mexico. His work, inspired by the vibrant colors of Taos Pueblo and the mystique of Canyon de Chelly, reflects a deep connection to his heritage and homeland. Ugly Pie’s creations celebrate the beauty in the unexpected, offering a fearless exploration of the human experience.
Blue Rain reps advise collectors to “consider the natural environment of your home, as factors like heat, humidity and UV light, [which can] affect the longevity of artwork, especially works on paper.”
Members of the American Artists Professional League, whose art is available in the year-round Affordable Works Online Show, all bring their subjects to life on paper by capturing their essence, juxtaposing light and dark in meaningful ways, as well as focusing on details.
American Artists Professional League, Reticent, colored pencil on paper, 20 x 28”, by Holly Bedrosian; Dimitrina Kutriansky, Nature’s Harmony, graphite drawing on a Strathmore hot-press illustration board, 16 x 20”
Colored pencil artist Holly Bedrosian says, “Faces and figures are a source of unending fascination to me. I appreciate the intricate details that comprise human form, but most of all, I am passionate about how the parts come together to evoke the essence of the subject and tell a story about their lives. Printmaker Ted Shaine’s piece PoliNation, focuses on the importance of nature—namely animals and insects to express his belief that climate change is real and affecting these [creatures] that pollinate the plants we depend on.
Janis Mattson also has a love for representing the subtle details and textures of animals, especially birds. “My work tends to be up close, detailed and personal,” she says. “I’m drawn to the softness of the fur or feathers of my subjects, as well as their unique personalities. I’m fascinated by interesting light and the use of deep contrast. I use a combination of techniques developed over time, [but] my goal is always to bring the images to life on paper.”
American Artists Professional League, PoliNation, linoleum print, 9 x 12”, by Ted Shaine.
Artist Dimitrina Kutriansky, coined the term “romantic naturalism” to describe her style, as her artwork strives to “harmonize the key concepts of the naturalist and romanticism movements,” she says. “In my works on paper, [seen in pieces like Nature’s Harmony], I incorporate fine lines and hard edges to achieve the detailed representationalism at the heart of the naturalist movement. At the same time, I utilize soft edges and a range of values through shading to incorporate romanticism, giving the drawing a sense of emotion and sentimentality.”
Her advice to collectors of works on paper is to “prioritize the skillfulness of the draftsmanship of the work, and consider how it is applied in the creation of atmosphere and expression of emotion.” —
Featured Artists & Galleries
American Artists Professional League
47 5th Avenue, New York, NY 10003
www.aaplinc.org
Blue Rain Gallery
544 S. Guadalupe Street Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
(505) 954-9902
934 Main Avenue, Unit B
Durango, Colorado 81301
(970) 232-2033
www.blueraingallery.com
Chase Young Gallery
450 Harrison Avenue Boston, MA 02118
(617) 859-7222
www.chaseyounggallery.com
Dimitrina Kutriansky
dimitrina@dimitrinakutriansky.com
www.dimitrinakutriansky.com
Kelly Reemsten
studio@kellyreemtsen.com
www.kellyreemsten.com
Instagram: kellyreemsten
Seattle Art Museum
1300 First Avenue Seattle, WA 98101
(206) 654-3135
www.seattleartmuseum.org
YoAhn Han
www.yoahnhan.com
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