Glen Rogers Art - Blog

Visiting Artist at Bluseed Studios

2011-09-28T11:53:00.000-07:00

I am a visiting artist at Bluseed Studios, Saranac Lake, NY this week. Lucky me!

The weather is wonderful -with the leaves changing colors, but still warm enough to kayak on one of the many lakes. Carol Vossler, director of Bluseed, invited me to come up after my exhibition in Mississippi. We have already had 1 Printmaking Exchange between my studio in Mazatlan and Bluseed in 2010. And Carol returned in March and created some new prints. We are planning another exchange involving new artists from both regions for 2013. Not only do we get to exchange ideas about printmaking and artmaking - but also it's a way to make new friends and experience another environment. Saranac Lake is situated in the Adirondack Mountains - so mountains, lakes and rivers vs tropical beachtown in mexico.

Enjoying the Environment!

Exhibition at Colbert Commons, Forest, MS

2011-09-28T10:14:00.000-07:00

I n September I returned to Forest, Mississippi, where I was born, to have an exhibition of paintings and prints. The old Farmers and Merchant Bank has been converted into a gallery by the City and the Forest Arts Assoc. I remember visiting the bank with my grandmother when I was a child and they've done a great job of transforming the space. The opening reception was well attended by family, friends and community members. I gave a presentation on my work with slides of sacred sites that have inspired me. The show was Sept. 15-30.

Opening Exhibition at Mazatlan International Airport

2011-08-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

OMA Mazatlan is proud to present a new project offering art exhibitions at the Airport.
The Opening Exhibition featuring my work will have its reception on September 1 at 1pm.
The exhibitions will change every 3 months.

Monotype in Mazatlan - Check out the video!

2011-08-14T13:36:00.000-07:00

http://youtu.be/-brzjAqmgI0

A Slideshow of some of my Monotype Prints

2011-08-14T13:26:00.000-07:00

Highlights from Oaxaca

2011-07-18T07:54:00.000-07:00

A Celebration in front of the Cathedral

There is excitement everywhere with the Guelaguetza Festival coming up. It's a traditional harvest festival with dance, parades, crafts, food - yum! Walking through the Zocalo on Sunday, I came upon a colorful celebration in front of the Cathedral. The ladies were dressed in gorgeous and colorful traditional attire. - dancing and swaying their banners.

Making my empanada de flor de cabeza (squash flower)

I had to try one of these - and it was delicious!


With Calixto and Alexander Blum at their art opening

I went to an art opening at Los Cuiles Cafe. Among the artists were Calixto and Alexander Blum - artists from San Franicisco. Calixto is originally from Oaxaca. Both are members of California Society of Printmakers - of which I am a member as well. Small world!

Cochineal - parasites on the cactus plant

The tiny Cochinilla - squeeze them and a rich red liquid spurts forth.

I visited a Cochinilla Farm outside of Oaxaca. These amazing little parasites attach themselves to the cactus plant and are then harvested and dried in little straw cacoons. They produce a rich red dye used for textiles and food all over the world. Adding other herbs and plants to the dye produces different colors from yellow to orange to green. I bought a jar of red ink and also some lipstick colored from the cochineal. Apparently the red dye was like gold and silver during the 15th century and exported to Europe and elsewhere.

Santa Domingo Church

Santa Domingo Church is a landmark in Centro. It's at the end of Alcala, a long pedestrian walkway. Lovely at dusk.

Centro de Artes de San Agustin - Etla, Oaxaca

2011-07-08T17:54:00.000-07:00

Centro de las Artes de San Agustin

Installation by Jan Hendrix

VI Bienal International De Arte Textil Contemporaneo

I never expected to find such an incredible art center tucked away in the small pueblo of Etla, about 20 miles outside of Oaxaca City. It's a renovated textile mill - and the architecture, use of running water throughout the grounds, the exhibition spaces, library, state of the art printshop - were all over the top! It looks like a Tuscan villa with its golden stuccoed walls.

Papermaking Workshop

Francisco Toledo, one of the most renowned artists in Oaxaca, is given credit for developing the Art Center. The papermaking facility located down the hill from the main buildings helps support the locals. They make art paper, books, jewelry, kites and more from the paper they produce. You can make paper between 9 to 5 for $500 pesos a day. check out the website: Casa San Agustin

Working at Taller Rufino Tamayo, Oaxaca

2011-07-08T17:13:00.000-07:00

Yesterday, I went on a search for a printshop that I could work in while here in Oaxaca. I first went to the Instituto de Artes Graficas, an amazing space with old printing presses poised in corners as sculpture. But no working presses. They do, however, have an incredible art library - thousands of volumes in English and Spanish - up to date with the latest art volumes. I spent a little time browsing the shelves. I'll be back there for sure!

I asked the attendant if he knew of a working graphics workshop and he steered me to Taller Rufino Tamayo.
A couple of blocks away, I found the TRT workshop. They have facilities for etching, lithography, silkscreen, woodblock, and more. The director, Luis, said I could work anytime in the mornings because the workshop isn't used til around 4pm when they have classes. No charge, he said, just donate some supplies. I returned this morning, and made my first print! Met a few more printmakers - Rene who takes care of the shop, showed me some of his work. I'm excited about working here and meeting more artists.

A Month in Oaxaca, Mexico for a Self-Imposed Artist Residency

2011-07-07T19:57:00.000-07:00

For the month of July, I am escaping the heat and humidity of Mazatlan, where I live full-time, and am transporting myself to Oaxaca, Mexico. The climate stays the same year round, 70's- 80's F during the day - with a drop to 60's in the evening. Sounds like heaven to me. July brings the rainy season - which is also a welcome relief - when I left Mazatlan last Sunday - it had only just rained for the first time in the last 8 or 9 months. (Although, I'm sure the rains have started there as well). To see water pouring from the heavens as it is doing now as I write, is a lovely site and sound!

That's my place where the guy is entering. It's a compound with 4 or 5 homes.

I've rented a house with studio about 4 or 5 blocks from the Zocalo (the main square). It's an easy walk to just about anywhere I want to go. I've brought my prepared canvas, printing paper and some inks, oil paints, charcoal, brushes - supplies that will no doubt be transformed into 'art' on a day by day basis.

Sandra and Diane at San Agustin

It was a nice surprise to learn that Sandra Starkey Simon who had just been a guest artist in my studio in June and Diane Longley, both from Adelaide, Australia, had plans to visit Oaxaca for the first couple of days that I was here. Together we experienced some incredible sites! From San Agustin, a renovated textile mill turned art gallery, graphic arts and papermaking workshop to Ocotlan, home of Rodolfo Morelos and the Aguilar sisters (ceramics). Talk about sensory overload - I will share more about these sites later.

Visiting Artist From Australia

2011-07-07T06:43:00.000-07:00

Sandra Starkey Simon printing

Billie, Sandra, Mark and Rafael at the Monday night print workshop

Artist and Printmaker, Sandra Starkey Simon from Magpie Studios in Adelaide, Australia was a guest artist in my studio the last week of June. Sandra and I know each other from San Jose, CA - where we both went to graduate school. For many years, I had a studio at the Citadel Cannery - Citadel Print Center. After I moved my studio to Oakland, Sandra and Fanny Retsek opened a printshop at the Citadel. The three of us were in a exhibition together, Presence in Nature, 2007-2008, that was exhibited in 3 cities in Mexico- Mazatlan, Culiacan and Los Mochis- and then traveled to Adelaide to the Flinders Univ. City Gallery. I stayed with Sandra in her home in the Adelaide hills and had an opportunity to do some printing at her studio as well.

We are now organizing a future exchange exhibition between Australia and Mexico of works on paper to show at Luna: Arte Contemporaneo, Mazatlan and a venue in Adelaide. Sandra is also thinking of bringing a group of artists to take the Monotype in Mazatlan workshop. All very exciting!

International Print Day in May

2011-05-08T15:50:00.000-07:00

Once again, my Mazatlan studio participated in the International Print Day organized by Monterey Print Club. Claudia Gallardo, Mark Jay, Ken Augustine and myself printed between 10:30 and 2:30. Hey, I've been a dedicated printmaker since I took my first etching class at University of Florida in 1975. I love that it's an artform that encourages working as a group. Combine plates, inks, brushes, brayers and paper and you've got magic in the studio.

The Phoenix has landed

2011-04-11T07:13:00.000-07:00

When I returned from Spain last October, I had a new palette - I had introduced blue into my work.
It complimented my earthtones that I have been using for many years and has added a refreshing balance of tone and color. Back in my Mazatlan studio, I immediately started a large 5' x 7' canvas. And as usual, the way I work, I had no preconceived idea of what the image was going to be. Almost immediately this large bird appeared. Following the lines that I had laid down in my preliminary texture, she emerged from the canvas effortlessly, as if she belonged. Gold-leafed and glorious with her tail a large multi-colored spiral, it became obvious that this was no ordinary bird. She was the mythical Phoenix.

The Phoenix is a mythological bird that is a symbol for rebirth and renewal. Cross-cultural - the phoenix appears in many ancient cultures including Egypt, China, and Arabian lands. Heron-like, the bird had a brilliant plumage with golden accents and a colorful tail. Upon approaching its death after 500 years of life, she would build a nest of herbs and spices and set it on fire. Out of the flames would rise the new phoenix - thus the symbol of rebirth.

Rebirth and renewal have been themes in my work for many years. I have taken inspiration from various forms in nature such as the seed and the pod that speaks of new life. The vesica piscis, (an ancient symbol of birth, the womb and the female form) has appeared again and again in my work. Now the Phoenix takes its place and shines forth as a new symbol in my work. How exciting is that?

Zoe Jussel reports on a Dynamite Demo by Glen

2011-03-20T09:15:00.000-07:00

As reported on the Mazatlan Life website, Zoe Jussel reports on the Dynamite Demo by Glen Rogers: March 12th at 10 a.m. A group of eager neophytes gathered at Glen Rogers Monotype Studio for a demonstration of the art that has made her almost a household name in Mazatlan. Her reputation as an artist goes far beyond Mazatlan, but that’s for another story. Approximately ten people watched as Glen walked us through the entire process of creating a piece of art, from the dampening of the heavy duty paper, to the necessity of keeping a work area clean. She took a piece of Plexiglas and etched it first, as this is part of her signature trademark and the lines thus create a feeling of texture. She then showed how to apply the first coat of ink, after first applying a hand crème which acts as a protector, and then gloves. As she applied the first layer, her design “comes to her”, she says. And so it did, right before our eyes. She then put it through the press and the beginning of her piece emerged. Wiping the Plexiglas free of ink, she then rolled on an ochre, another recurring colour seen in her works that take on nature’s own. Seeds, phalanxes, pods, Phoenix rising, earthy, rich images. You always know Glen’s work when you see it. After the second application, with some additional techniques shown, the finished piece delighted us all and there was a definite measure of astonishment. I don’t think any of us had a true idea of how this process actually worked and several of us who had partners, friends, husbands, wives taking this class, left with a new appreciation of what they accomplished and I am sure many of us now want to try our hands at Monotype printing. Thanks, Glen. Just another example of what makes this city so special to us all. (Glen has two workshops coming up: March 21-25 and April 3-8, see “What’s on Now” for full details)
http://mazatlanlife.com/ae-reviews/

Artist Nancy Dunaway talks about her trip to Mazatlan

2011-03-06T11:54:00.000-08:00

" I just returned from the most amazing art vacation making monoprints in Mazatlan, Mexico with Glen Rogers. Glen is an incredible artist, wonderful teacher, and amazing hostess."
Read more on her blog............
http://www.nancydunaway.org

Bird Images continue to show up in my work

2011-01-02T09:12:00.000-08:00

Birds continue to show up in my work. It first happened at the residency in Spain. Do they speak of freedom, or a connection to spirit? I'm not sure. I have a large 7' x 5' painting going at the moment - a large egret has landed!

Let's see what happens next. I rarely plan my artwork - but let the work evolve through layers of ink of paint on the surface. The surprise factor is magical. And I feel I am connected to something larger than myself.

These are small 7" x 5" monotypes, black and white. They are currently in the Blanco y Negro exhibition at LUNA Gallery.

Highlights from the December Workshop

2010-12-14T17:13:00.000-08:00

Maria is ready to draw into her plate after rolling it up with a flat of color.

Bunny layed out rich luscious colors of ink on the palette and rolled them onto her plate with brayers.

There is something magical about pulling the paper up from the plate after running it through the press.

Geraldine and Maria working on their plates in the sunlit studio.

John is carefully wiping areas of ink away using the subtractive technique.

Geraldine pulled a nice print, one of a series she created that incorporated drypoint and monotype.

In the garden patio below, Alistair has created a fabulous Asian prawn lunch for us.

A week of monotype printmaking in Mazatlan. Geraldine from Vancouver, Maria from England (originally from Mazatlan) and Bunny and John, both expats who live in Mazatlan.
Fun was had by all!
The next workshop is scheduled for the week of Jan. 3.

My Newest Venture: a Gallery in Mazatlan

2010-11-12T07:17:00.000-08:00

I hadn't planned on opening a gallery when I bought the little house on Ninos Heroes last year. But as I started the renovation (it was a ruin) - I thought, hey, why not try a gallery before turning it over as a rental house. It's a good location on a quiet street - just off Sixto Osuna where everyone walks between the Plaza Machado and the Ocean.

LUNA: Arte Contemporaneo opened its first exhibition Thursday, November 4. Mark Jay, Dave Robb, Lucila Santiago, Rafael Avila Tirado and myself are showing a variety of paintings and prints. The work looks great in the new space. The shows will be changed every month in time for the First Fridays Artwalk. The hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 to 5pm.

I had a great team working on the renovation w Faustino Garcia as the contractor. Bill Ensley built the beautiful cedar doors. Mark Jay and Nan & Dave Robb helped with the final details and hanging the exhibition.

Printing in Paradise

2010-09-20T08:12:00.001-07:00

I am now offering a Guest Room with 24 hour access to the Print Studio. Call it the Artist's B&B. Your room with private bath overlooks the garden patio. Includes continental breakfast. Swimming pool. Access to kitchen. Located in the heart of Centro Historico, within walking distance to beaches, plazas, shopping. $150day. Additional fee for instruction or master printer.

Enjoying my stay at Fundacion Valparaiso, Mojacar, Spain

2010-09-13T23:29:00.000-07:00

I have one glorious month at the Artist Residency, Fundacion Valparaiso, in Andalusia, Spain. It's a beautiful place - about 2km from the playa and close to the white-washed pueblo of Mojacar set up into the hillside. The landscape reminds me of the Santa Fe desert - even the architecture with the colors of adobe. The Foundation itself is lovely - each of us artists with our own room and bath - with common areas that are beautifully done. And of course I have a studio to work in as well. In the evenings they serve us the local red wine and tapas around 8pm then a fantastic meal. For lunch – a wonderful healthy spread - with lots of vegetables grown in their garden, fish, soups, and fresh fruits.

I share this space with 8 other artists – 2 writers, a composer, a photographer and 3 painters from areas as diverse as Russia, Albania, Ireland, England, Portugal, Spain, and myself from Mexico. Unbelievably, one of the other artists grew up in Mississippi as I did – only 30 minutes up the road from where I was born. Talk about a small world! We are all getting to know each other and enjoying each other's company - some of the stories are amazing. One of the inevitable results of a residency experience is that you make new friends and contacts from around the world.

The Fundacion is a 30 minute walk to the beach - but well worth it - in the morning - the water is calm and perfect temperature and no one is around. There is an interesting mountain overlooking the Foundation which is terraced and flat topped - supposedly the original site of the Moorish pueblo of Mojacar. I climbed it last week and found a number of pottery shards. There's an old Roman cistern at the top. We are around 4 hours from Granada, the site of the Alhambra, one of the most incredible examples of Moorish architecture which we plan on visiting next week.

I'm getting lots of work done in the studio - working on my 3rd large painting and my palette has changed. I'm using blue (I know its shocking!) along with red/orange/yellow and some gold leaf and black. I brought an old tube of Cerulean blue - I swear I've had that tube since high school and have been carrying it around ever since. I'm enjoying the studio, enjoying the process and feel blessed to be here.

Intercambio Grafica at BluSeed Studios, Saranac Lake, NY

2010-07-31T15:04:00.000-07:00

Ten days in Saranac Lake, NY, in the Adirondacks as guests of BluSeed Studios was an incredible experience for all the artists involved. Rafael Avila, Lucila Santiago, Mark Jay and I traveled there in July as the 2nd part of Intercambio Grafica Printmaking Exchange. (Gia Alexander was not able to attend.) We were hosted by local art lovers; Jen, Franny, Nadia, and Katherine & Ed Lau - all supporters of BluSeed, where we stayed in their homes, and caught a glimpse of their life there. We were treated to dinners, canoeing and bar-b-que at Larry Poole's home on one of the lakes, hikes in the forests, a specially organized tour of local artists' studios and galleries, a magical night at Margo Fish's Tappagwingo Camp - I could go on and on....

The exhibition at the BluSeed Gallery displayed 40 prints including the artists from Mazatlan and the artists from Saranac Lake; Carol Vossler, Katherine Levin-Lau, Larry Poole, Carol Brossard, and John LaFalce.

Carol Vossler, the director of BluSeed, and Katherine Levin-Lau, one of the organizers of the exchange, prepared a program that kept us all on our toes. At the studio, John LaFalce taught us papermaking, Larry Poole demonstrated his photo-print technique using Imagon Film and Jessica Jeffrey showed us her xerox litho process. On two mornings, Nancy Brossard took us out to her favorite spots for plein air painting. From our group, Lucila and Rafael both gave demonstrations of their techniques, monotype and woodcut respectively. There was still time for everyone to make some prints and do some experimentation.

We had a nice article in the local Press Republican newspaper by Robin Caudell :
http://pressrepublican.com/0500_what_to_do/x871674390/Local-artists-collaborate-with-Mexican-printmakers

There are 2 radio interviews on NCPR (North Country Public Radio) one with Larry Poole who visited Mazatlan with BluSeed Studios in January
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/15269/adk-artists-share-art-ideas-in-mexico
and the 2nd with Carol Marie Vossler, Lucila Santiago, Rafael Avila, Mark Jay and myself while visiting Saranac Lake in July.
http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/16045/sharing-art-across-borders

Hecho en Mazatlan Exhibition in San Antonio

2010-05-12T13:04:00.001-07:00

The reception for Hecho en Mazatlan at StoneMetal Press in San Antonio was very well attended. Thanks due in part to another show in the space, Gloria Sanchez Hart, "40 Years of Printmaking". Gloria was also celebrating her 60th birthday that night. There was live music, Mexican food and Sangria served. Both exhibitions will be up through June 19.

Kathleen Baker Pittman, founder and past director of StoneMetal, had a piece in the show and attended the reception with me. She was a great hostess, taking me around to galleries and Museums in San Antonio and Austin. One of the highlights was meeting with Chief Curator Rene B. Barilleaux and curator of prints & drawings, Lyle Williams of the McNay Museum. It was also nice to meet Christa Brothers of Bismarck Studios, Contemporay Fine Art Gallery. Kathleen had prints in the upcoming show, most of which she printed in my studio last summer. I will be sending Christa work for the gallery in June.

In Austin, I enjoyed visiting Flatbed Press, a great printmaking facility with 5 presses. There were some excellent large-scale prints - woodblocks, etchings, and lithos in the hallway gallery. Saturday night we visited the home of friends Philip Overbaugh, architect and Craig Hella Johnson. It was great to see three of my prints from the "Notes from Uluru" series displayed prominently in their dining room as you walk in the front door. And a small spiral print, from the "Form& Spirit" series hung under the spiral staircase. After dinner at a local Zen Center, we were treated to a concert conducted by Craig, Conspirare, a world class choral group at St. Martin's Lutheran Church. It was a full house and everyone was enchanted by the program, "The Mystic and The Storyteller".

Hecho en Mazatlan exhibition travels to San Antonio

2010-04-30T15:13:00.000-07:00

StoneMetal Press announces the opening of a new show

"Hecho en Mazatlán: An Exhibition of Prints from the Workshop of Glen Rogers Featuring an International Group of Artists".

May 6 - June 19

Opening Reception: Thursday, May 6^th,6:00-9:00 PM

StoneMetal Press

Blue Star Art Complex

Suite 101, Building B, Downstairs

San Antonio, TX

210-227-0312

www.stonemetal-press.com

List of Artists:

Kathleen Baker Pittman, San Antonio, TX, Veronica Rowney Gross, San Jose, CA, Beth McCool, Louisville, MS, Lesley Baker, Indianapolis, IN, Pam Davis, Azel, TX, Ellen Ishee O’Leary, Little Rock, AK, Monica Minneman-Ioset, Seattle, WA, Cynthia Handel, Oakland, CA, Pam Landram, Aptos, CA, Evelyn Klein, Carmel, CA, Sunnova Konstad, Stavanger, Norway, Mark R. Jay, Bisbee, AZ, Sissel Gryta, Oslo, Norway, Julia Nelson-Gal, Palo, Alto, CA, Doug Glovaski, Pacific Grove, CA, Grace Purpura, San Jose, CA, Helen MacKinlay, Pebble Beach, CA, Pamela Takigawa, Carmel Valley, CA, Beth Truso, Watsonville, CA, Robynn Smith, Aptos, CA, Karen Palamos, San Francisco, CA, Maryly Snow, Oakland, CA, Pat Henry, Puerto Vallarta, MX, Katherine Levin Lau, San Jose, CA, Billie Houtmann, Mazatlán (U.S.A/France), Glen Rogers, Mazatlán (U.S.A), Nancy Sidney Brinn, Lansing, MI, Lucila Santiago, Mazatlán, Nan Robb, Mazatlán (U.S.A.), Ann Hankel, Mazatlán (U.S.A), Tracey Rickman, Perth, AU/ Mazatlán, Gia Alexander, Mazatlán (Canada), Paul Pattee, Mazatlán (U.S.A.), Trevor Bennett, Mazatlán (Australia), Kathi McCaw, Mazatlán (Canada), Rafael Avila Tirado, Mazatlán

Creating a Monotype

2010-04-20T07:46:00.000-07:00

I love these shots that Matt Mawson took in the studio last week. I was working on a monotype, painting on the acrylic plate, holding it up to the light to check for density of ink.

This print is part of a series I'm working on inspired by Las Labradas, a site north of Mazatlan about 30km. Petroglyhs are carved into huge boulders at the water's edge. A magical place.

The prints will be in the exhibition at Bluseed Studios, Saranac Lake, NY this summer.

Artist Residency at Fundacion Valparaiso

2010-04-19T10:58:00.000-07:00

I am very excited to announce that I have been awarded a one month artist residency at the Fundacion Valparaiso in Almeria, Spain. Although the dates haven't been chosen yet, it will most likely be between May and October, 2011.

I am very excited about this opportunity to go for a month and have no other obligations but to attend to the creative process. I will concentrate on painting and drawing as there is no press there.

I find it amazing what happens when you are removed from your own studio - out of your comfort zone. I have had major breakthroughs in my work at previous artist residencies. At KALA Institute in Berkeley, working on their huge press, twice the size of mine, I began creating my symbolic work - really for the first time. Up until then, I had been a figurative artist. But with the intention of creating large-scale backgrounds for my photo-etchings - the large symbols began to emerge and were a presence in their own right.

At my residency at Villa Montalvo, in a secluded studio, removed from my press, I taught myself to paint. And from then on, painting was as important to me as the prints.

At Helene Wurlitzer Foundation in Taos, I did my first 7' x 5' canvases, and I do believe they are some of the best works of my career. I will always be grateful for these opportunities. And I am really looking forward to my time in Spain.

Fundacion Valparaiso

Monotype in Mazatlan - March Workshops

2010-03-28T15:00:00.000-07:00

I have a group of 5 down from California for the Monotype in Mazatlan workshop this week, March 27-31. They chose these dates so that they would be back home for Easter.

Veronica Rowney Gross (photo above) came 2 years ago for one of my first workshops. She and I met in the late 80's while she was coordinator for the Art Department for the East Side Union High School District in San Jose, CA. We wrote a grant together through the California Arts Council for my artist in residency. I went to 6 schools in the district over a 2 year period - 3 months at each school. We bought a little press and I would set up "shop" at each school. I taught monotype, hand-made papermaking and drypoint printing. Although I majored in printmaking, I had always done intaglio prints up until then. Don't tell Veronica, but I had never done monotype before that. I taught myself the summer before the program began. Obviously I became hooked on the process.

Patricia pulling her colorful print.

Joyce, Veronica, Karen & Patricia at the entrance to my studio.

Joyce & Linda at the press.

This time around, Veronica brought a group down with her. Two of them are art teachers whom I worked with at the schools - Linda Brown and Joyce Johns. Great to see them and have them printing in my studio in Mazatlan! Everyone is loving the weather, the colorful buildings and walking around Centro Historico.

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I did a special Weekend Intensive March 13 & 14 for local artists.
It was a diverse group with artists - Mexican, Australian, Canadian & American.
Now that they've been through my workshop, they can attend the Monday night Open Studio and continue creating prints.

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Doug Erion from Loveland, Colorado came the following week. Doug owns his own press and is a self-taught printmaker doing primarily etchings and drypoints. He came to Mazatlan to learn monotype printing. Doug used his figure drawings as a source of inspiration for his prints. He plans on continuing to use the monotype process in his studio to create work for an upcoming exhibition.

My Bridge Railing for Big Chico Creek was Installed in March!

2010-03-28T12:15:00.000-07:00

My latest public art project was just installed in Chico, CA.
It's a bridge railing for Big Chico Creek on Manzanita Parkway.
It's one of 2 bridge railings that will be installed for this street renovation project.
The project has been in the works for about 5 years. It's been a team effort working with engineer, Craig Murray, public art coordinator, Mary Gardner, landscape architect Thomas Phelps and fabricator, Jeff Lindsay of Red Hot Metal.

The bridge railing is part of an overall theme that I proposed, Weave of Nature/Web of Life.
The idea is to continue with other art elements along the Manzanita Parkway - such as Waymarkers and sculptures for the roundabouts.

Las Labradas, A Magical Place and a Source of Inspiration

2010-01-28T15:10:00.000-08:00

I discovered Las Labradas around 10 years ago, after someone scrawled a map on the back of a napkin. Down miles of dirt pot-holed roads, one finally came to an oasis - a deserted beach with these huge rocks filled with petroglyhps. The site is north of Mazatlan near Barras de Piaxtla, about 30km north and much easier to find these days. There is a large spiral sculpture marking the entrance by the freeway - although you still have to drive the same dirt roads to get there.

An incredible array of Petroglyphs are found carved into large boulders at the water's edge. Symbols of spirals, circles and simple figures are some of the many images found on the rock faces. They are thought to be around 1500 years old and created by indigenous Tolteca tribes. Were they part of a ritual, carved by their spiritual leaders? Were they messages to other tribes or do they represent visions and dreams. For me they represent a connection to a people who came before us and who were bound by the four elements - earth, wind, water and fire. The place takes on a spiritual, magical quality. I have created numerous works of art inspired by the symbols and this sacred space.

As Leda Garrido from Noroeste said so well, "neither time nor nature has erased their work."

Printmaking Exchange with BluSeed Studio, Saranac Lake, NY

2010-01-24T14:40:00.000-08:00

At the Opening of the Exhibition

Lucila Santiago & Rafael Avila Tirado

Carol Vossler doing her demo

Larry Poole & John LaFalce printing in Glen's studio

Katherine Levin-Lau presenting her work to the students at the Municipal Art School

Carol Vossler, Katherine Levin-Lau & Mark Jay in the Studio

Intercambio Gráfica Printmaking Exchange: NY – Mazatlán is an exciting exchange of art and ideas between three graphic studios and 10 artists. An exhibition of Prints opens January 21 at the Angela Peralta Gallery and runs through March 1. Among the work will be etchings, monotypes, photo-etchings, hand-made paper and linoleum block printing.

The project involves 5 artists each from Mazatlán and Saranac Lake, New York, both working and exhibiting in the two host cities. The project is sponsored by Cultura, Glen Rogers Studio, and Bluseed Studios.

In January, Nancy Brossard, John La Falce, Katherine Levin-Lau, Carol Marie Vossler, and Larry Poole from Saranac Lake, NY worked in the studio of Glen Rogers. They also presented demonstrations of their techniques to the students and teachers of the Centro Municipal de Artes housed at the Angela Peralta Theatre. Professor/artist Lucila Santiago hosted the artists in her classes to share their expertise in printmaking.

In July, the 5 artists from Mazatlán, Gia Alexander, Mark Jay, Glen Rogers, Lucila Santiago, and Rafael Avila Tirado, will travel to Saranac Lake, NY to work at Bluseed Studios. There will be an exhibition of their work in the Bluseed Gallery along with the host artists.

BluSeed Studios, located in Saranac Lake, New York, provides ceramic, printmaking, and papermaking studios, and a 2000-square-foot gallery/performance space. In 2001, Carol Marie Vossler began transforming the historic Cedar Street Warehouse, a 7000 square foot abandoned train warehouse, into a project space where artists have the opportunity to experiment, diverge, exhibit and perform; Their goal is to move ideas and aesthetics forward; and to share this diversity with the community.

Glen Rogers relocated to Mazatlán from the San Francisco Bay Area in 2000 and started her Monotype in Mazatlán Workshops in 2007. Since then she has worked with over 40 artists in her studio. Glen has been instrumental in organizing the the First Fridays Artwalk in Centro Historico, Presence in Nature, an international exchange between the U.S., Mexico and Australia, San Jose ICA’s Monotype Marathon, and many international printmaking exchanges including the recent Hecho en Mazatlán at the Museo de Arte.

Centro Municipal de Arte, harbours Taller de Gráfica Experimental guided by visual artist Lucila Santiago who has been there teaching painting, drawing and graphics since 2000. Her students learn the basis of printing as well as linoleum cut, wood print and dry point. They also experiment with monotype techniques and with different surfaces creating objects such as print books or boxes. Every year they have an exhibition at the Angela Peralta Gallery showing the best works the students did in a year.

Glen Rogers Opens the Cultural Season for Peninsula, Mazatlan

2010-01-12T15:07:00.001-08:00

Monotype in Mazatlan - January 2010 Workshop

2010-01-12T08:15:00.000-08:00

What a great group of women to have working in my studio! Thanks to Robynn Smith, professor at Monterey Peninsula College and Monterey Print Club, who brought a group down to Mazatlan for the 2nd year. All in this group were artists, though everyone were not printmakers. Some were new to monotype printing and had to get the hang of using the right amount of ink for the printing process and exploring the possibilities for self expression along the way. But everyone did great work. It's always exciting to see the results. We all visited the Hecho en Mazatlan show at the Museum of Art. Robynn and Karen Palamos, who were here last year, had work in the show.
Back row from Left: Glen Rogers,Mary Weeks, Marianne Mitchell, Robynn Smith, Carrie Cox, Karen Palamos, Nora Partido, Lorraine Cappparell
Front: Maryly Snow, Denese Sanders

We took several excursions. The first was Las Labradas, a beautiful beach north of Mazatlan where Petroglyhs are incribed into huge boulders at water's edge. Talk about inspiration!

Then to Isla de Las Pierdras, Stone Island, a vacation from our vacation - sitting under a beach palapa drinking cervezas and eating fresh seafood. Shopping from local vendors for silver jewelry and crocheted handbags. Swimming in the ocean and long walks on the beach.

Here's what Maryly Snow, CSP member, had to say:
I just got back from a week in Mazatlan. What a fabulous town! The historic district is small, charming, and completely walkable with al fresco dining for all meals. It's very "arty", galeries, art studios, a contemporary art museum, and a monthly art crawl. The Mexicans are incredibly nice to the foreigners, mostly Canadians and Americans, and everyone is friendly. One day we drove north to Las Labradas, a lovely beach with patches of petroglyphs on black rock. The water temp in the Sea of Cortez is easily swimmable with nice body surfing waves. One day we took the 7 minute "ferry" ride to Stone Island where once again the water, waves, and temperature was perfect. The sunsets were spectacular: pink, orange, red, purple, turning the Sea of Cortez into gorgeous hues. And the raison d'etre: Monotype in Mazatlan at Glen Rogers' studio. There were nine printmakers with Glen busy at the press, giving suggestions, feeding us, and encouraging our productivity. I came home with a series that is pretty terrific too! This has been my 2nd visit. I'm going back next year, for my third workshop for a longer stay! What a fabulous vacation!

Photos from the Hecho en Mazatlan Exhibition

2009-12-11T14:48:00.001-08:00

Great Turn-out for the Reception! Everyone was enthusiastic about the work. I don't think they expected such diversity and quality. Thanks to all the artists for your contribution to the show. The show will be up thru January 8.

Glen with her print.

Ann Hankel with her print.

Glen and Grace Purpura by Grace's print.

Hecho en Mazatlan Opens Friday Dec. 4

2009-12-02T07:40:00.000-08:00

HECHO EN MAZATLAN/MADE IN MAZATLAN

Prints from the Workshop of Glen Rogers Featuring Local and International Artists

Museo de Arte - Sala Carlos Bueno

December 4, 2009 - January 8, 2010

Opening Reception, Friday December 4, 8pm (right after the First Fridays Artwalk)

I have been offering the Monotype in Mazatlán workshops in my studio since 2007. This exhibition will feature the best of the prints created in the workshops as well as from guest artists from 2007 thru 2009.

The show will represent an international group of 38 artists from Mexico, United States, Canada, Australia, and Europe. The work is diverse, ranging from abstract to realism, and shows a full spectrum of the monotype process.

Exhibiting Artists:

Kathleen Baker Pittman, San Antonio, TX, Veronica Rowney Gross, San Jose, CA, Beth McCool, Louisville, MS, Lesley Baker, Indianapolis, IN, Pam Davis, Azel, TX, Ellen Ishee O’Leary, Little Rock, AK, Monica Minneman-Loset, Seattle, WA, Cynthia Handel, Oakland, CA, Pam Landrom, Aptos, CA, Evelyn Klein, Carmel, CA, Sunnova Konstad, Stavanger, Norway, Mark R. Jay, Bisbee, AZ, Sissel Gryta, Oslo, Norway, Julia Nelson-Gal, Palo, Alto, CA, Doug Glovaski, Pacific Grove, CA, Grace Purpura, San Jose, CA, Helen MacKinlay, Pebble Beach, CA, Pamela Takigawa, Carmel Valley, CA, Beth Truso, Watsonville, CA, Robynn Smith, Aptos, CA, Karen Palamos, San Francisco, CA, Maryly Snow, Oakland, CA, Pat Henry, Puerto Vallarta, MX, Katherine Levin Lau, San Jose, CA, Billie Houtmann, Mazatlán (U.S.A/France), Glen Rogers, Mazatlán (U.S.A), Nancy Sidney Brinn, Lansing, MI, Lucila Santiago, Mazatlán, Nan Robb, Mazatlán (U.S.A.), Ann Hankel, Mazatlán (U.S.A), Tracey Rickman, Perth, AU/ Mazatlán, Gia Alexander, Mazatlán (Canada), Paul Pattee, Mazatlán (U.S.A.), Trevor Bennett, Mazatlán (Australia), Kathi McKaw, Mazatlán (Canada), John Toki, Berkeley, CA, Pamela Stefl Toki, Orinda, CA, Rafael Avila Tirado, Mazatlán

I will post photos from the exhibition soon!

My Work is On the Cover of 2 Magazines in November

2009-11-10T10:43:00.000-08:00

M! an English language magazine in Mazatlan chose a piece for its First Anniversary Issue. "Intersection II" - The orginal painting is a 7'x5', oil on canvas. www.maz-amor.com

Inquiring Mind is a semiannual journal dedicated to the creative transmission of Buddhadharma to the West. This small, 7" x 5" monotype is part of a series entitled, "Borrowed Forms in Nature" since I have incorporated the work of 19th century illustrator Ernst Haeckel.
http://www.inquiringmind.com/Current.html

Mazatlan's First Fridays Artwalk in Full Swing

2009-11-10T10:38:00.000-08:00

The first Artwalk of the Season was this past Friday, Nov. 6. Trevor and I had around 60 people come through the studio. Lots of enthusiasm and interest in our work. It's always a great opportunity to meet people from all over. We had tourists, a few from the cruise ships, snowbirds as well as full-time residents come thru the door. We always serve some refreshments and welcome everyone to studio.

This year the Artwalk has expanded to 24 sites and 41 artists all within walking distance in Centro Historico. Painters, Photographers, Printmakers, Jewelers, Hichol Artists - all kinds of styles and techniques. Here is the website, created by Darian Day, where you can access the map and the participating artists. www.artwalkmazatlan.com La Cultura is the official sponsor and provides the maps and banners. The artists are exposed to the public and have a venue for selling their art while the visitors get a chance to view a wide variety of art - sometimes in studios and homes that they would not have access to. It's a great event!

First Friday of the month, Nov. thru May (except January will be 2nd Friday this year).
4 to 8 pm. Maps can be downloaded from the website or picked up at local businesses in the area.

Favorite places in Mazatlan

2009-09-13T16:10:00.001-07:00

El Faro, lighthouse. A great hike .......

Taking a panga to Stone Island.

Isla de Pierdras/Stone Island - our favorite beach.

Centro Historico

The Plaza Machado - a tropical paradise that centers Old Town.

The view from Lupe's Palapa on the Malecon.

My garden & patio

Amazing Crop Circles

2009-07-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

You have to take a look at Lucy Pringle's crop circle website. 2009 has produced some amazing images inscribed in the crop fields of Wiltshire County, England. I'm sorry, 2 guys and a board in the middle of the night? I don't think so..............

Lucy Pringle's crop circle website

My Latest Public Art Project in Chico, CA

2009-07-02T11:45:00.000-07:00

Bridge Railing design for Lindo Channel

Railing in Process

Mary Gardner, me, & Craig Murray at the bridge site

Craig Murray, Jeff Lindsay & Mary Gardner at Red Hot Metal

Craig Murray testing the metal strength

It's been 5 years since I was invited to create a Master Art Plan for the city of Chico's Manzanita Corridor Reconstruction Project. I offered an overall theme, Weave of Nature/Web of Life, which was adopted to inform all artworks within the Manzanita Corridor.
The bridge railing was the element that we chose as the first project.

And now, Jeff Lindsay of Red Hot Metal, Inc., has started the fabrication! In June, I went up to meet with Jeff to discuss fabrication details. I really enjoyed meeting Jeff and visiting his shop in Chico. I also met with Mary Gardner, the public art coordinator, and Craig Murray, the engineer assigned to the project. We took a look at the first metal cuts that Jeff had in the studio. We also made a site visit to choose the color for the railng - a rusty red- which will be powdercoated.

Los Gatos Museum of Art Exhibition

2009-05-30T11:39:00.000-07:00

Me with my paintings

Feng Jin with his sculpture

3x3: 3 Artists - 3 Visions

Glen Rogers, Donna Orme, Feng Jin

June 11 – August 7

Reception: Sunday June 14, 1-4pm

The Art Museum of Los Gatos

4 Tait Avenue on the corner at W. Main St.
Los Gatos, CA 95030
408.354.2646
Open Wednesday – Sunday, Noon – 4pm

Mosaic Project for Marco Polo Park, Mazatlan

2009-05-30T10:46:00.000-07:00

Marco Polo Park is a park and play area specifically for children with disabilities designed by Recrea, a group of architects in Mazatlan. Fanciful swings and slides, interactive walls, walkways of colored glass are designed and waiting to be constructed with the help of the Rotary Club of Mazatlan.
Leticia Alvarado Fuentes heads the project and has the enthusiasm to see it happen.

Because of my past community based public art in the San Francisco Bay Area, I offered to design an element to involve the community. The mosaic project - Circles of Nature - was a way to offer the neighbors of the park, as well as the users and families of the nearby Educational Center, a way to get involved in the Marco Polo Park project. The Rotary Club used it as a kick-off project for their community work day which also featured tree-plantings, lunch and presentations.

Circles of Nature consists of 2 sizes, 9" and 6" circles, all with a nature theme. We brought buckets of broken tiles and various leaves and flowers for inspiration from the area. Everyone - kids, adults and whole families - were invited to create the colorful circles. They will be installed in benches and walls around the park.

Childhood Girlfriends Reunite for a Workshop in Mazatlan

2009-05-30T10:26:00.000-07:00

What an honor to have my childhood girlfriends from Louisville, Mississippi visit me in Mazatlan and take a workshop May 21 thru 25. Yes, we were all in Brownie Scouts together! During the week they were here, we shared memories dating back to kindergarten (Mrs Dodd's) all the way thru highschool and into college. What a trip down memory lane. Gia, a recent Mazatlecan, joined the class as well and got a kick out of our group with all of our stories. We laughed, giggled, told tales and shared our present lives and how we got to where we are today.

Everyone embraced the monotype process - even the skeptical non-artists of the bunch. There was plenty of time to watch the beautiful Mazatlan sunsets, hit the beach at Stone Island, dance to the Beatles at Puerto Viejo, and enjoy wonderful meals together. What a blast! Thank you Beth, Dinah, May-May, Pam, & Ellen! I hope you will visit again!

International Print Day in May

2009-05-09T17:16:00.000-07:00

Saturday May 2 was an International Print Day organized by the Monterey (CA) Print Club.
I invited those who have taken my workshops in the past for a free print day.
We worked together in my Mazatlan studio creating monotypes from 12 to 4pm.

Lucila Santiago, Kathi McCaw, Ann Hankel, Tracey Rickman and Paul Pattee joined me in the studio. That's Ann at the press. Check out the blog: http://printdayinmay.wordpress.com There you will find printmakers from Hawaii, Australia, and California all working in sync.

Language of Nature Exhibition in San Antonio

2009-04-25T09:50:00.000-07:00

The exhibition and workshop at StoneMetal Press was an excellent experience. Co-founder Kathleen Pittman, Director Anet Alaniz, and Art Director Jim Kane did a great job framing all 30 prints, hosting the reception, and getting the word out. The work looked wonderful in the space. Friends from California, Helen & Rod MacKinlay were there as well as Philip and Craig from Austin.

The 2 day Variations on a Monotype Workshop was enjoyed by all. In the photo - that's Erin Harvey, Delda Skinner and Linda Lang.

Oaxaca - 10 Women/4 Days

2009-03-15T13:41:00.000-07:00

My First trip to Oaxaca was filled with all that I had heard about and looked forward to for years. It is a beautiful colonial city with architecture very similar to Mazatlan's Centro Historico. The trip was organized by friend and fabric artist Mary Ruzich, who put out a call for women friends to accompany her on a journey - especially to visit weavers.

A highlight for me was visiting Monte Alban, a Zapotec archaeological site dating back 500 to 850BC. I enjoyed climbing the pyramids as well as seeing the stone carvings and architectural details. Maureen, Ann and I practiced Yoga amongst the ruins.

One night, BC, Ann, Kerry, and I went for drinks after dinner to hear a local guitarist play. We not only enjoyed his music but were also treated to guest singer, Lila Downs getting up for a few songs. How exciting was that? (Lila Downs did the song track for the Frida movie with Selma Hayek).

I also visited a printmaking studio, Taller Grafica Actual, where they had studios for lithography, etching, silkscreen and digital work. I would love to return to Oaxaca one day and work there

Below is Beverley Kreutzer's account of our tour of artisan villages:
Early the next morning we began a tour of the craft villages surrounding Oaxaca. We started our day in San Martin Tilcajete. It is a village known for its wooden hand-carved and brilliantly painted animals often referred to as alebrijes. We first visited the workshop of what is said to be the best in the state, of Jacobo and Maria Angeles, for a fascinating demonstration of the total process. We learned of the utility of natural pigments for paints, the different uses of the male and female copal tree including trunk, bark and sap, and the importance of Zapotec designs for symbolism. I found out my birth date coincides with the design of the armadillo and so one now sits proudly on my mantel. I did not find a monkey which is my husband’s birth date animal.

We moved on to the cotton textiles of Santo Tomás Jalieza. We were able to see the results of the women’s weavings using a back strap loom. There were the most colorful table runners, placemats, purses and much more. Their embroidery skills were very much in evidence. Next came the homes and workshops of the Aguilar sisters with their brightly painted clay figures. Close by was the Ocotlán market. For sure, we could not leave without a few purchases from that location. The colorful aprons were my purchase of choice.

We stopped for lunch where we enjoyed the local cuisine and our first taste of mezcal. Our travel van was getting pretty full but we had more places to go and more things to see. Coming up was a most important stop in the black pottery village of San Bartolo Coyotepec. There we had a demonstration of the technique and its history by Don Valente Nieto, son of the late Doňa Rosa. It was fascinating to watch this 80 year old man produce a vase almost totally by touch as it appears his eyesight is failing.

Our final stop brought us to the rug village of Teotitlán del Valle. In this rug workshop we saw how the rugs are produced. The quality of the rugs and other products are outstanding. Oh, I was sorely tempted many times! It had been a wonderful tour with Alvin Starkman, a very knowledgeable tour guide who added much to the enjoyment of the day. We stumbled out of the van packed down with parcels and eager to do a show and tell.

Borrowed Forms in Nature

2009-03-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

One of the series of prints that I will be showing at StoneMetal Press in San Antonio is my "Borrowed Forms in Nature". This is a series of small monotypes, 7" x 5" that begin with a photo transfer. I have "borrowed" fantastic biological illustrations from the 19th century illustrator, Ernst Haeckel. Haeckel's work is showcased in the book, Art Forms in Nature, Prestel-Verlag, Munich-New York, 1998. Page after page of flora and fauna, incredible organic shapes - specifically from the sea. I'm not the first artist who has "borrowed" Haeckel's forms. His work has inspired architecture, chandeliers, furniture, sculpture and more.

2009-03-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

I was invited to be in the inaugural exhibition at RECREA's new gallery space in Mazatlan
located in a beautiful historic building in Centro Historico. XXpografica features 5 women printmakers in honor of International Day of Women. The exhibition runs thru March 09.
I will be giving a powerpoint presentation of my work on Thursday, March 19 at 4:40 along with Kym.

Language of Nature Solo Exhibition - San Antonio

2009-03-09T10:20:00.000-07:00

www.stonemetal-press.com

Voted Best Artist in M! Magazine

2009-03-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

M! magazine held its first Mazzie Awards, "Best of Mazatlan", in March. Thanks to M! readers, I was voted Best Artist! What a nice honor! Click on the link below to read the article:
www.maz-amor.com

It's Official! Hecho en Mazatlan exhibition opens December 2009

2009-01-26T13:05:00.001-08:00

Hecho en Mazatlan/Made in Mazatlan is an exhibition highlighting the monotypes and prints that have been created in my studio over the last 3 years since I first started the Monotype in Mazatlan Workshops. The exhibition will be at the Museo de Arte, Mazatlan December 4, 2009 thru January 8, 2010. I expect to showcase at least 30 artists who have taken the workshop or who have been a guest artist in the studio. I am also in negotiation for a an exhibition in the SF Bay Area, California.

The reception will be Friday December 8, 8pm. This happens to follow First Fridays Artwalk which is 4 to 8pm. A great way to end an evening of art.

For those of you who would like to participate, please contact me about taking a workshop. Artists taking workshops through November will be included.

A group from Monterey Peninsula College Fine Art Print Club comes to Mazatlan

2009-01-26T11:13:00.000-08:00

Robynn Smith, Printmaking Instructor at Monterey Peninsula College, California, brought a group of artists from the MPC Fine Art Print Club mpcprintclub.org as well as 2 other participants (San Francisco and Boston) to take the Monotype in Mazatlan Workshop, January 5- 9. It was a great group of women coming together for a week of making art as well as enjoying all that Mazatlan has to offer. Starting with a welcome dinner at my home on Saturday night, the next day we went to Stone Island to enjoy great seafood, cervezas under a palapa and walks on the beach. Monday morning everyone was ready to get to work making prints!

I brought 7 printmakers from the U.S.to Glen's January workshop. Some of the participants were professional printmakers, others had far less experience. The workshop was a great success! Glen engaged everyone, giving all participants what they needed. Glen's studio is in a beautiful part of a wonderful town. The environment is very inspirational. Glen and Candace (the proprietor at Casa de Suenos) were marvelous guides to the area, and helped everyone to have a very productive workshop and a fabulous vacation at the same time.
Robynn Smith Printmaking Instructor, Monterey Peninsula College

Evelyn Klein,Printmaker/ Painter and Printmaking Instructor, Monterey Peninsula College, Equinox Press said this about her experience:

I was part of a group of 8 printmakers who came from diverse areas to share a common interest: printmaking.

Glen received us with such friendliness, warmth, enthusiasm and professionalism!

I still dream of her incredible house and studio, the rich earthy colors of Mexico etched along her walls, corridors and gardens.

I spent 5 magical days at this studio transported into a world of art, printmaking and intense camaraderie, sharing our passion.

The work that came out of this gathering was rich, individualistic and deep.

But above all, a new relationship was born amongst us all.

We already have plans for future meetings locally in California (Monterey & Bay area) and at her studio.

Thanks Glen for offering this opportunity!

And two other comments:

How lucky I feel to have spent my first trip to Mexico in Glen Roger’s Monotype in MazatlanMazatlan scenery, Glen’s generosity, and demonstrations of her process, printmaking in her beautiful, spacious studio surrounded by inspirational art, all made for a fabulous experience and one I can’t wait to repeat. The impressions I made both on paper and in memory are welcome influences on my printmaking. I enjoyed warm water, warm sun, delicious food, relaxed atmosphere, splashy sunsets and good company. What more could an artist want from a “working” vacation. Muchas Gracias Glen! workshop. The combination of the colorful

Pamela Takigawa

It had been many years both since I'd made monotypes or been in Mexico. Glen was so gracious, and her studio so inviting that it took no time at all to feel comfortable and start working. Quality attracts quality, and that holds true for Glen's Mazatlan experience. Whether at the beach, strolling in town, dining or those precious work hours in the studio, the experience was relaxed elegance. I see the local and natural colors in my work, and those sunsets will never be properly described!

Karen Palamos, San Francisco, CA

Pacific Pearl Article

2008-12-08T19:37:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-08T11:21:00.000-08:00

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

2008-12-08T10:07:00.000-08:00

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.

Copper as Material and Source of Inspiration

2008-08-29T15:59:00.000-07:00

I was intrigued by copper - its color and its feel - from the instant I was given my first etching plate in college. Copper is the preferred metal for drypoint prints because it holds the line better than zinc. As one scribes into the metal with a sharp needle, a soft burr of metal is kicked up on the side, producing the soft line that is characteristic of a drypoint print. But I also loved the sensuousness of the whole process - I loved the way the ink looked on the surface, the contrast between velvety black ink and the rich coloration of the metal plate.

Later when I started to create monotypes - I preferred using copper to the
clear acrylic plates that was common - just because I loved to see the ink on the surface. But I was also scratching the plate and using drypoint in the process. One day I was painting on the surface of the copper creating a monotype - (which at that point was figurative) - and the ink on the plate looked so luscious that I decided
not to transfer the image to paper as you normally would. Instead I let that be the finished product - a painting on copper. That led to a series of paintings on metal called, "Mythic Tales."

Also about this time, I had a vision of creating a series of copper vessels - a sculptural installation. My interest was multi-faceted; I was interested in the vessel as metaphor and symbol:1) it being one of the main artifacts from ancient cultures, 2) the vessel as a way to capture water and store food for early cultures - to sustain life, and 3) the vessel as a metaphor for the human body - particularly the female, as giver of life.
I should also mention that copper was known in early cultures as a healing metal, a material with high energy vibration. Even today - people use it for various ailments such as arthritis.

My first group of vessels were formed in the metal spinning process by a company in the San Francisco Bay Area. I painted the surfaces and had stands made for them out of steel and arranged them in a group of 7. They had a ritual quality - mystical and ancient. These were shown at dpfong Gallery in San Jose, Ca.

I had heard of a copper town in Mexico in the early 90's - before Mexico was even on my radar screen. Almost 10 years later, I made it to Santa Clara del Cobre, a small pueblo in the state of Michoacan - about 10 miles from Patzcauro. It is amazing! The entire town is filled with copper - vases, plates, sink, tubs, jewelry, etc. The pieces are hand-forged and beaten into shape over an open fire pit. Around every corner is another taller (workshop) where the men are fast at work, hammering out new shapes. In the center of the town is a cultural center where they display exquisite prize-winning pieces produced by the maestros in the town.

From the first time I went in 2001, I was excited about seeing the workshops, talking to the workers, and negotiating a deal. The hand-forged pieces always contain a surprise in their multi-colored patinas created by the extreme heat. Now, I am anxiously awaiting new pieces that I ordered on my recent trip in July. So it is that I continue to be inspired by copper and use it as a material creating vessels, wall sculpture, and paintings.

Colors of Mexico

2008-08-18T08:28:00.000-07:00

Trevor and I recently took a drive trip in Mexico - from Mazatlan we went to Guadalajara, Guanajuato, Delores Hidalgo, San Miguel de Allende, Patzcauro, and Santa Clara del Cobre. Because it is the rainy season, the landscape was so beautiful, so rich, so green. From Tepic to Guadalajara, you have the bluegreen of the agave plants contrasting with the yellowgreen landscape - a gorgeous patch-work quilt - compliments of mother nature.

In the cities, everywhere was color! From the stalls filled with colorful fruits and vegetables, to the flower vendors on the street, the hawkers selling balloons and toys, the brightly glazed ceramics - all eye candy for the lucky traveler. Here are a few photos for you to enjoy.

In San Miguel de Allende, we went to an exhibition by our friend Lanny Garland at Cafe Monet. Lanny has a unique way of reconstructing everyday objects (ex. woven mats, scrub brushes, discarded belts) into unique works of art. This body of work ranged from his Vestidos, beautifully-crafted garments with an Asian influence, to 3 dimensional sculptures and wall fragments inspired by pre-Aztec artifacts. We fell for a small fragment, "Teotihuacan Jaguar" now hanging in our home in Mazatlan.

You can visit Lanny's website at:http://www.lgarland.com/

July Monotype in Mazatlan Workshop

2008-07-18T14:42:00.000-07:00

I offered a 3 day monotype workshop in my studio in July. It was rainy off and on outside - a perfect time to stay in and make art, right? None of the students had done monotype before, although all had done art and/or had taken classes in the past. Everyone is always a little excited, a little apprehensive about whether they will like the process, or whether they will turn anything out that they like. But as soon as everyone starts working, they do great. Shown in the photos are Kathy, Fran and Tracey.

The first day of the workshop, I like to start out by showing a range of prints from my collection to show the various approaches to style and imagery from a wide range of artists. Then I do a demonstration of techniques - painting directly on the plate with brushes, rolling up a flat of color and drawing back into it by removing color with rag, q-tip or fingers, stencil, etc. I have a whole list of techniques that I cover in a printed hand-out as well. My demos are largely just dabbling on the plate because I like to show how easy it is.

People always ask, if you are just painting on the plate, why not just paint the same thing on paper or canvas? My answer is that the magic of monotype is that you can't always predict what your end result will be. The surprises can be amazing. Something happens in the process, in the combination of ink, rollers, paper and voila! a print is born. Pulling the printing paper off the inked plate after running it thru the press is a "drum roll" sort of event. It is addicting!

The next workshop is scheduled for November 10 - 14. Visit my website for more information.

Writing on the Wall - new prints inspired by Uluru

2008-07-06T09:33:00.000-07:00

On my trip to Australia in May, I visited Uluru (Ayers Rock). There were a number of small caves around the periphery of the rock that one could peer into - and see the cave drawings.

When I returned to my studio, I wanted to capture the essence of the colors and shapes and the markings on the wall. The symbols of spirals, concentric circles, and images from nature have been a part of my artistic vocabulary for years and it is always exciting to see them in another part of the world.

None of these prints are a direct copy of the walls I had the honor to witness. On the contrary, the cave drawings served as inspiration. I wanted to honor this ancient language of an ancient culture - to infuse my prints with the wonder, spirit and mystery that I felt there.

Secrets in the Fields - Art inspired by the Crop Circles

2008-06-21T09:32:00.000-07:00

Last summer, my friend Gloria and I went to England to visit crop circles, the mysterious occurrence of archetypal designs in the fields. They often appear close to the ancient stones of Avebury and Stonehenge, the white horses, and over chalk deposits. We were not disappointed - I saw 9 from above in a light plane and experienced 4 or 5 on ground level. Not only are the formations created with incredible geometric precision, they are usually so large - some as large as 2 football fields - the pattern can only be seen from above.

I have been keeping an eye on the designs from afar for years - always inspiring in their intricacy and variations on ancient symbols. In Freddy Silva's book, Secrets in the Fields, he talks about their possible meaning, "....since the ultimate effect of a symbol is to awaken the senses, the language of crop circles ultimately speaks to the heart."

Janet Ossebard, a Dutch crop researcher whom I met in Wiltshire last summer, reports on the latest circles of the season. http://www.circularsite.com/nieuw-eng.htm

Lucy Pringle is a photographer and pilot who has been documenting the circles in England for years. Beautiful aerial photographs and commentary on her site
http://www.lucypringle.co.uk/

After I returned, someone recommended that I read Daniel Pinchbeck's 2012: The Return of Quetzalcoatl. On his spiritual/metaphysical quest, he pursues everything from shamanism to quantum theory and talks about many heart-opening experiences - one of which is the crop circles in England. His contention is that 2012 in the Mayan calendar portends a global shift in consciousness. Approaching the circles with suspicion, he left convinced that the circles were not made by human hands.

In an effort to debunk the circles, the media has inundated the world with the hoaxes, usually badly formed with damaged crops. But this is a phenomena that continues to amaze - that won't go away. The now famous Doug and Dave who claimed responsibility for most of them in the 80's and 90's retired years ago - and they are still happening - overnight in the fields.

I am not so interested in how or why but am drawn to their incredible beauty and constantly changing display. By far, this is the most incredible earthwork art happening in the moment.

The paintings that I have done since that trip were inspired by the spirit, the energy that I felt being in the circles rather than specific formations.

Pat Henry Shows Her Colors in Puerto Vallarta

2008-06-11T09:59:00.000-07:00

Pat Henry is an artist, an architect, and one of the first women to sail solo around the world! She's an amazing woman - full of inspiration and enthusiasm for whatever she sets her mind to.

I met Pat via a mutual friend, Helen MacKinlay, who had met Pat in Singapore when she sailed into port. When I had a show at T. Fuller Gallery last year in P.V., we met for coffee for the first time and then Pat came to my opening reception.

I drove down to Puerto Vallarta to surprise Pat at her studio/gallery opening June 6. Pat had come up to do my monotype workshop in April and was showing the monotypes she produced as well as new abstract paintings. It was great to see the monotypes framed and on the wall. She had 2 series, one of colorful tango shoes (Tango being her new passion) and the other, more abstract, with images of Frida Kahlo peeking out behind bright colors. "Ole" had a bold black overlay with gestural marks allowing the rich Mexican colors to show thru.

With this new work, Pat was breaking out of her tighter, realistic approach to painting - landscapes and figures of her travels including neighborhood scenes in Puerto Vallarta. And did she go wild! The medium size canvases - all untitled - are rich with drips and splashes of color. All are vibrant and purely abstract.

Pat wrote a book about her sail around the world - a great read! By the Grace of the Sea: A Woman's Solo Odyssey Around the World (McGraw Hill/International Marine/02)

Check out her work and bio in http://www.pat-henry.com/

A Visit to Ayers Rock/ Uluru, Australia

2008-06-02T12:36:00.000-07:00

On my recent visit to Australia, which was primarily to take the Presence in Nature exhibition, I also wanted to visit Uluru (Ayers Rock). It's in the Northern Territory, middle of the country - a long way from anywhere - a major tourist attraction, a World Heritage site, but most importantly to me - a sacred site of the Aboriginal people. So while Trevor went to visit his cousin, I went on my own to Uluru.

I skipped staying in Alice Springs - mainly because it is a 6 hour bus ride to Uluru. Instead I stayed at one of the hotels just 20 minutes away. I was lucky because during high season - February/March, there are as many as 4000 visitors a day to the site! The weather was good - in the 80's during the day. The aboriginal people request that you not climb the Rock - since it is their sacred land. So, ofcourse, I honored that.

Instead I did the base walk, and unbelievably - I passed only 3 people the entire hike. I found plenty of spots where I could sit and take in the spirit of place. The rock formations and colors were amazing - and I was especially drawn to the cave drawings.

On a more pedestrian note, I liked the rusted iron signage that told about the myths of the Anangu people - when you stepped close, it triggered sounds, chanting and singing. I saw some wonderful aboriginal paintings and wood carvings at Uluru, Adelaide, and Sydney.

Well worth the journey, I am filled with inspiration and honor for this sacred site!

Presence in Nature Exhibition in Adelaide, Australia May 2 - June 8

2008-06-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from Australia where I hand-carried the work for the exhibition, Presence in Nature. It was neatly rolled up in a large tube and I had no problem getting it through. Sandra Starkey Simon, one of the artists in the show, picked us up at the airport, (jet-lag and all) and we went straight to the Flinders University Gallery where the staff was waiting to put it into frames. The actual show was a week later, at their City Gallery in the heart of Adelaide.

The night of the opening, May 2, the work looked beautiful in the space and the reception was well-attended. We shared the space with another traveling exhibiton, Pattern Recogntion, which was (also) excellent. Fanny Retsek flew over from California to be there. I was happy to meet 3 of the Australian artists, Dianne Longley, Margaret Ambridge and Christine Mc Cormack. We all participated in an artist talk after which Gail Greenwood, the director gave a short talk followed by another talk by a local artist and historian.

This is the last showing for the exhibition! It showed in Mazatlan at the Angela Peralta Theatre Gallery in May 2006, Galeria de Difocur, Culiacan in January 2007, Museo de Regional del Valle de El Fuerte in Los Mochis in March 2007 and in the Museo de Mazatlan in February 2008.

I have been intricately involved in the organization of this exhibition with all the ups and downs that any project of this magnitude can have. Even with all the problems, I am happy that the show survived and was seen around the world. Many people supported my efforts and helped along the way and I would like to thank them here. But a special thanks goes to Carol Shenda Lewin, Bunny Eyer, Fawn Powers and Roger Poyner, Patricia Sanders for her introduction to the catalogue, Roberto Baltazar, Difocur, for the printing of the catalogue, Lucila Santiago and Elizabeth Gomez for translations, Gail Greenwood, director of the Flinders Univ. Gallery, Dianne Longley and Sandra Starkey Simon for organizing the Australia artists and exhibition. And most of all, all of the artists who participated and had the patience to see it through.

Presence in Nature is a traveling exhibition of works on paper featuring 15 artists, including 5 artists from Mazatlán, California, and Adelaide, Australia. All works on paper and measuring no more than 30" x 22", the works range from prints, drawings, paintings, digital and mixed media.

The idea for the show came when two of the California artists, Sandra Starkey Simon and Fanny Retsek were showing in Mazatlan in a local gallery. There they met some of the Mexican artists, Lucila Santiago and Janeth Berrettini. I was living part of the time in Mazatlan and was at their exhibition and met Sandra and Fanny for the first time.

From the forward to the catalogue by Patrica Sanders, Ph.D.

“An exhibition of artists from three different countries raises expectations of a visual discourse on cultural identity. Yet what we find in “Presence in Nature” are disparate voices responding each in her own way to our common reality: the earth."

Today, as urban populations are about to outnumber rural ones, many of us cannot help but feel separated from “the natural world” at the same time we realize this is, of course, an illusion--for what are we but a part of that world? The 15 featured artists express everything from the anxiety of this alienation to a realized or spiritual connection with nature, each in her own distinctive way.”

Artists:

Mexico Janeth Berrettini
Cecilia Sanchez Duarte
Liliana Bandin
Lucila Santiago Oropeza
Elaine Kemp Zazueta

U.S.A. Elizabeth Gomez Freer
Sandra Starkey Simon
Fanny Retsek Lutz
Glen Rogers
Karen von Felten

Australia Margie Sheppard
Sascha Holyoak
Dianne Longley
Margaret Ambridge
Christine McCormack

Monotype Workshops in Mazatlan

2008-05-31T07:37:00.000-07:00

I teach Monotype Workshops in my studio in the heart of Centro Historico. For experienced artists, it’s a great opportunity to create a new body of work. For those that are looking for an avenue to explore your creativity – monotype is a wonderful medium. The studio is close to the beach, the Plaza Machado, great B&B’s and beach front hotels. Other activities in the area include yoga, massage & spa facilities, great seafood, and shopping.

Dates:
July 9, 10, and 11. A 3-day workshop, 5 hours each day. $320U.S.
November 10 thru 14, 5 day workshop - $550U.S.
I will be scheduling dates for 2009 soon.
I will give group discounts and we can choose dates to fit your schedule.
Visit my website under the WORKSHOP tab for more information.

Testimonial from Nancy Sidney Brinn who who took the April workshop:
"Glen brought out the best from a group of artists with widely varied backgrounds. Her range of knowledge and experience is stimulating without being daunting to even beginners. With old town Mazatlan for a backdrop to her beautiful studio, inspiration was everywhere. I'd go back in a heartbeat!"

A New Large-Scale Triptych

2008-05-30T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is my most recent work. A large-scale triptych, Inner Sanctum. These pieces were inspired by my trip to England last year - specifically, an ancient mound in the Wiltshire area, West Kennett, Long Barrow, which was used for ritual - and possibly a burial chamber. Inner Sanctum is meant to imply the sacred space versus giving a literal depiction. The pieces are oil on canvas with gold leaf. Because they are oversize pieces, they are grommeted vs stretched on stretcher bars. When exhibited - they will have more space between them.

I often work in threes. Even if the panels or prints aren't necessarily a triptych, I like to hang three works together. I like the relationships, each playing off the other - and creating a simple balance. The power of three.

Last year, a friend (and art collector) suggested I paint a large triptych - with each piece being the size of the piece she had just purchased - 7'h x 5'w. Hmmmm....... I thought about it and took the challenge. Actually it's not the first large triptych I've done. A few years back I did 3 paintings on 1/4" aluminum - each 7' high. They didn't remain together. Two are in the collection of an architect, and the other is still available in the Bay Area. But I digress...

I consider this work abstract symbolism - if one has to put it in a category. For me, it has elements of the mystical and the spirtual. It refers back to the ancients, those that were close to the earth, the moon, the sky, and the four elements - fire, water, wind, and earth.