Artists hold on to tradition

Published 5:00 am Wednesday, July 26, 2006

A group of talented artists are bringing back traditional printmaking methods at an exhibit in a colorful garden setting.

Anne Belov, a self-proclaimed “printmaking crusader,” is leading the group of nine printmakers in the third annual Froggwell Invitational Exhibit.

“I’m a painter, but I am also a printmaker, and I know a lot of people who are printmakers,” Belov said.

The Whidbey Island artist said no matter what the technical developments of printmaking may be, classic printmaking methods still hold great value.

“There is an unfortunate tendency to forget the old traditional printmaking methods,” Belov said.

“I wanted to do a show to keep the printmaking traditions alive, to help people realize that there is affordable original art out there without buying reproductions,” she said.

The artists’ exhibit will be held Aug. 5 and 6 in the usually private setting of Froggwell Gardens.

The printmaking group is adding to the appeal of the event by bringing along two large-scale sculpture artists — Colin Flanagan and Kirk Prindle.

“Since we had the opportunity to have it here,” Belov said, gesturing to the Froggwell Gardens around her, “We thought we ought to throw in sculpture, too, because the garden itself is a living sculpture.”

“It’s just the perfect showcase for large scale sculpture,” she added.

In addition to the nine printmakers and the pair of sculptors at the show, Belov invited painter Rebecca Collins to join the exhibit.

“There is now nine out of the original 10 that were in the exhibit the first year, and so I try to invite additional artists to throw something different in the mix,” Belov said.

The printmaker organizing the event said everyone at the invitational is either artists she really admires and/or people she has learned something from.

Kathryn Trigg taught her the secret to creating a type of print called a monotype, for example.

“She told me a couple of things that just changed my whole outlook on making a monotype,” Belov said. “The light bulb went off and fireworks went off, and I said ‘Oh, I get it now.’”

Other artists in the invitational are printmakers Belov has worked with in the past. Belov and Doug Hunt taught etching techniques together at Island International, a printmaking company in Anacortes.

“I thought his work is really different from any one else’s, but it really fits in,” Belov said. “My goal was to have not a whole bunch of artists whose work looked the same, but that really complimented each other.”

The printmakers put together something special for their fans at the invitational. They made a collective group portfolio which will be available for sale.

“They are in these beautiful hand-bound portfolios, and they are absolutely stupendous looking,” Belov said.

Individual printmakers work will be for sale, as well. The art will be inside the Froggwell Garden cottage.

“It’s an opportunity to see art in an actual home,” Belov said. “We hang all of the printmakings inside the house so you can imagine what it would look like inside you’re living room.”

Belov hopes visitors to the Froggwell Invitation will have an all-around enjoyable experience, and learn something in the process.

“I want them to enjoy the gardens, and I want them to gain an appreciation for printmaking, and to gain an understanding that it’s something totally different than a reproduction,” the printmaker said.

All of the artists will be on hand for at least part of the exhibit.

“We are selling the work, but we also want it to be an educational experience,” Belov said.

Breeana Laughlin can be reached at 221-5300 or at blaughlin@south

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