Pacific Pearl Article

Published in the Pacific Pearl, Mazatlan, vol. XVII – No. 2,

October, 2008 www.pacificpearl.com

MONOTYPE IN MAZATLAN

By Lisa Lankins

“Art allows us to find ourselves and lose ourselves simultaneously” – Thomas Merton

Every once in a while we all need a bit of inspiration. The art studio of Glen Rogers is just the place to find some, located just around the corner to the southeast of the Mazatlán Art Museum in Old Town. The second floor of this traditional Mexican house is Glen’s studio for teaching and producing lovely works of Monotype. Her web page correctly describes her as an “internationally acclaimed artist whose art includes paintings, prints, drawings, and public sculpture. Her work is inspired by ancient symbols and symbols carved on cave walls around the world. She uses archetypal symbols that are inspired by sacred geometry and the infinite forms in nature. Her work, which has an undeniably feminine quality, is both mystical and meditative and transcends into the spiritual realm.”

What is Monotype? It is a unique, one of a kind, original piece of artwork. There is no recorded history of its origin, but one of the earliest artists to experiment with printing in color was doing so in the late 1500’s. An image is drawn or painted on a metal or plastic Plexiglas plate. These images are created by applying ink by rolling, brushing, daubing or otherwise applying and it may be manipulated. Then the plate is placed on a press bed and the material that will accept the print, usually paper, is laid over top and it is pressed on a printing press. A second print may be made off the same plate, but it will be much lighter. You can layer prints to get a special affect, but surely no two will ever be the same. It may be taken home that day if you are careful; a day is required for it to be completely dry. Glen suggests a sealed frame under glass to protect the work from Mazatlán humidity and bugs.

Glen has a Masters in Printmaking from San Jose State and San Francisco State Universities. She trained in etching and dry point, but at some point became disinterested in making many copies of her art. She also wanted a medium she could easily be taught to students in an hour or so. She discovered Monotype and has loved it ever since. She has been teaching since the 80’s and in Mazatlan for 2 years. She has had public art works commissioned by many cities in California including San Jose, Stockton, Richmond, Campbell, and Chico. She has worked alongside numerous schools, communities, and architects on more than 25 public artworks in the San Francisco area.

Glen is the organizer for Artwalk. Artwalk is a walking tour of different artist’s studios in Old Town. It starts the first Friday in November from 4-8. Maps are available in Old Town and throughout the city.

She has to bring most of her art supplies such as oil base etching inks and printmaking paper down from the States as they aren’t available here. Even her printing press was hauled down in a trailer. Other than her studio, her works are available online at the Linda Durnell Gallery. She is planning an exhibition in the bay area in the next year. She offers classes to an international community of artists with discounts for Mazatlán residents. You can see her work and classes listed on her webpage: www.glenrogersart.com or her blogpage: www.glenrogersart.blogspot.com

First Fridays Artwalk in Centro Historico

What I missed about the San Francisco Bay Area were the multitude of art galleries and museums. There are many artists working in Mazatlan - and more moving down all the time. What we needed, I thought, was more venues, more opportunities for the visual arts and artists to be showcased as well as giving them an opportunity to sell their work. Thus I created - with help from my friends - First Fridays Artwalk.

I was involved in the organization of some of the first Open Studio events in San Jose, Ca in the 80's at the old Citadel Cannery. It was a fun event where visitors took their lives into their own hands traipsing up the rickety stairwells of the old wooden cannery - a definite fire hazard. The idea later grew to include the greater downtown area and now has evolved to5 counties - Open Studios of Silicon Valley.

Four years ago we inaugurated the Open Studio tour once a year in Mazatlan and it was met with great enthusiasm and to crys of "do it more than once a year!" After all, this is a tourist destination. So for the 2nd year, First Fridays Artwalk/Camino del Arte has been held on the first Friday of each month - November thru May.

The Official Version:

The Cultural Season in Mazatlan’s Centro Historico has begun – and along with the concerts of music, dance and theatre comes the First Fridays Artwalk or Camino del Arte. This is where the Visual Arts takes the spotlight, highlighting artists showing their paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, drawings, fiber art, printmaking and more. On the first Friday of each month, November thru May, the public is invited to pick up a map and enjoy this free, self-guided walking tour. Artist sites are located within an approximate 10 block area from Teniente Azueta to Olas Altas, east to west and Aleman to Canizales, north to south.

From 4 to 8pm, you can take a rare peak into artists’ studios and homes as well as see exciting works hanging in local shops and galleries. The sequential dates for the 08-09 season are: December 5, January 2, February 6, March 6, April 3, and May 1. This year’s event has grown to 21 sites with over 35 artists represented. It is an international group, with artists from Argentina, Australia, Canada, Holland, Italy, and of course, Mexico.

Patrons of the arts will find a wide range of styles and techniques to choose from. You can come with the intent to just enjoy the art and meet the artists or to purchase unique works of art. It’s a great way to spend a Friday afternoon until just after twilight before going out to dinner at one of the many great restaurants in the Historic District. And it becomes a real scene on the street with people moving to and fro to various sites with maps in hand.

Free Artwalk maps are available in stores, hotels and restaurants, and on the website: Also visit the website to get a taste of each artist’s work, their biographies and philosophies: www.artwalkmazatlan.com

Monotype Workshop at SJ ICA

In October, I drove up to the San Francisco Bay Area - to visit friends, do some art business and teach a workshop at the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art (SJ ICA). I have a long-standing affiliation with the ICA, having served on the Board of Directors for many years. While on the Board, I instigated the popular Monotype Marathon - now in its 13th year! I have seen the ICA grow and prosper in the last 10 years - now they are in their new facility on South First Street. But the most exciting thing for me is to see the Print Center up and running with a full array of printmaking classes taught by director Fanny Retsek and well as guest artists.

I taught a Monotype workshop on Saturday & Sunday/Oct. 18 & 19 with 5 students - the perfect number for the studio. It was a class with beginner to advanced and everyone had fun, made some great prints, and learned new techniques. I expect some of the participants will visit me for the south of the border Monotype in Mazatlan experience.

I will teach the workshop again next October 17 & 18. Because October is one of the hottest months in Mazatlan, it is a perfect time to visit the Bay Area.