Freedom

Why Bull Kelp? Bull kelp is a fast growing annual which provides nutrients and habitat for a multitude of species; growing up to 2 feet a day and as tall as 80 feet. The blades (leaves) follow the movements of the ocean and originate from the ball-like bladder which rises towards the surface of the ocean. The holdfast (roots) is a gnarled mass and anchors it to the ocean floor.
I love the freedom I have to interpret my subjects in copper in various ways creating new forms and effects. For this piece, I found great joy in crushing the metal and pulling it through my etching press multiple times. I manipulate the folds between each pass until the resulting abstract relief patterns hold my interest. The copper is pulled though the press again; this time with the master linocut design of the Bull Kelp followed by additional hand-tooling and hammering to define and add texture. Each member of the series is unique; this is #15 and I still have so many more ideas to explore in this series.

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