Porque Burque? The Printmakers, that's why. . .

WEDNESDAY
“Porque Burque” the Printmakers

Jacqui Lewnes and Ray Maseman are two of our talents DCF Community members showing work at the “Porque Burque” Gallery show opening this Friday night. What do they have in common? Well! Both are members of the New Grounds Print Workshop. Both are motorcycle enthusiasts. Both appreciate kids (both the human kind and the goat kind). Many of Ray’s family and extended-family’s animals are featured in Jacqui’s work. They each have an affinity for orange sherbert. And of course, they both think Maggie Gould is really cool. (We concur)

A little about Ray:
His work has a preoccupation with voyages and quests that play out over a variety of locations on land, sea, and air. Within these scenes, he introduces anachronistic modes of travel and incongruous characters. These protagonists travel through their world, perhaps looking or searching for something. They don’t know where or when they will find it, or maybe even what “it” is, but they have an abiding faith that they will reach their destination. Underlying much of his work are reflections about home—whether it is a place one is going to, leaving from, or is carried within.

His interest in anachronistic vehicles is reflected in his choice of printmaking as a medium. The process is grounded in 16th century technology, yet can make use of contemporary developments in etching grounds and inks. Working as a printmaker, especially in etching, is an engaging mixture of art and science that allows him to build up a matrix of information on a printing plate. The printing process then allows him to play with the use of color and further reflect on the image while producing an edition of multiple prints.

And now, Jacqui:

Jacqui has loved animals since babyhood. One of the earliest pictures of her is at age two, screaming happily at a turtle. Her mom used to refer to her dogs, Tinker and Gypsy, as her sisters, and she treated them as such. She understands animals far better than people sometimes. They are more perfect beings to her. Animals give unconditional love and humor, with no head games, and she appreciates all their small bits of wisdom.

In her twenties she had a dog friend named Lady, who was old when they met, and when she died, Jacqui was surprised at how grieved she was by the loss. Lady started to show up in Jacqui's art and soon, Jacqui was depicting more and more dogs, and cats, as well.

Jacqui says that monotype printmaking allows her to be intriguingly expressive. More of her work can be seen at
www.newgroundsgallery.com

And by the way, Fixers, if you haven't already heard, newly founded Marble Brewery is sponsoring this event with a keg of their IPA!

VERB Collective
3400 Constitution (just West of Carlisle)

Friday May 16, 2008
5:00 – 8:30pm
Gallery Opening