Prints and Process Talk Today at Weir Farm

Next Exhibition: From Pencil to Plate at Weir Farm National Historic Site

Sassafras, graphite, 2009

Exhibition of drawings and prints on view May 12 – August 21

From Thursday, May 12 through Sunday, August 21, 2011, the work of artist and printmaker Sally Frank of North Salem, NY will be presented in the Burlingham House at Weir Farm National Historic Site at 735 Nod Hill Road. Her exhibition, From Pencil to Plate, Woodlands of Weir Farm, is a collection of drawings and original prints, including etchings and monotypes inspired by the trees and forests of Weir Farm. Frank was awarded an artist in residency by the Weir Farm Art Center in March 2008. During her two-week stay on the historic property, she developed a series of drawing, which she used as the basis of a number of original etchings and monotypes. She continues to draw from the experiences and material she gathered that spring to develop new works.

“The artistic tradition of Weir Farm makes it a very special place to create,” said Ms. Frank. “The residency gave me the privilege of walking in the shoes of some of the greatest American artists who drew inspiration from the beautiful property on Nod Hill. As many artists who have visited the site know, it is inspiring to look out at the landscape that, over 100 years ago, drew the likes of Childe Hassam, John Twachtman, John Singer Sargent and of course J. Alden Weir.”

Cedar, monotype, 2010

In addition to being an inspiration for painters, Weir Farm also has a history of printmaking. Three Gallery Talks titled Prints and Process will be held at 2 p.m. on Sundays, June 5, July 10 and August 7. Frank will discuss her work and the process she uses to make prints.

Originally from Chester County PA, Sally Frank has exhibited her work in galleries in South Florida, Connecticut and New York. Trees and landscapes of the Northeast are the main focus of her work, which reveals the beauty as well as the harshness of nature. “Nature can be remote to many in today’s world,” she says. “I try to make it more familiar and to share what inspires me about the natural world, like the dignity of an old oak tree, or a weathered sycamore- battered by life but still standing tall. I try to capture the quiet of the forest; the rustle of leaves in the canopy and sunlight filtered through patterns of leaves and branches.”

Sally Frank’s work can be viewed at www.sallyfrank.net. For library hours and further information call 914.764.5085.

Tree Work II to open at Rockwell Galleries in Ridgefield on February 24

RIDGEFIELD, CT – From Thursday, February 24 through Friday, April 16, 2011, Rockwell Galleries at 470 Main Street will present the work of artist/printmaker Sally Frank of North Salem, NY. Tree Work, is a collection of etchings, monotypes and drawings inspired by trees, forests and natural landscapes of the Northeast. The public is invited to an opening reception to meet the artist on Thursday, February 24 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Refreshments will be served.

Spider Laurels, monotype, 2010

Ms. Frank uses centuries-old printmaking techniques like etching and aquatint on copper plates, as well as innovative methods like solarplate intaglio. She says that although her work is grounded in drawing, she finds the unpredictable nature of printmaking inspirational and exciting.

Originally from Chester County, PA, Sally Frank has exhibited her work in galleries in Connecticut, New York and Florida. Trees and woodland landscapes are the main focus of her prints and drawings, which capture the beauty as well as the harshness of nature. “Nature can be remote to many in today’s busy world,” she says. “I try to make it more familiar and to share what it is that inspires me about nature; like the dignity of an old oak or a weather-beaten sugar maple. I try to communicate the quiet of the forest; the sound of leaves rustling in the canopy and beauty of soft sunlight filtered through the patterns of leaves and branches.”

Sally Frank’s work can be viewed at www.sallyfrank.net. For gallery hours and further information call (203) 894-8000.

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The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others only a green thing that stands in the way.  Some see Nature all ridicule and deformity, and some scarce see Nature at all.  But to the eyes of the man of imagination, Nature is Imagination itself.

-  William Blake, 1799, The Letters

September 11, 2010 Images

Endurance

Lots of material…

Grace

Bound

White Oak in Pound Ridge Reservation

New monotypes | April 2010

Morning light

Evening

Cedar in Weir Farm forest

Images for Footprint

On Friday I spent the day printing at CCP. I am still working on developing some of the material I produced at Weir Farm last spring. I finished a couple of prints that I started in November and here are 4 new monotypes of an old cedar at Weir Farm done from a graphite drawing. 

Sunday in the reservation with friends…

Last Sunday was a spectacularly beautiful day and I was able to take a walk in the Pound Ridge Reservation with son Andrew and some friends. Spring is beginning to stir most in the swampy areas where clumps of bright green moss are beginning to emerge, green and purple spotted skunk cabbage is poking up through the wet leaves,  and all around there are sounds of frogs croaking and birds calling.  Not far along the trail was a pond teeming with mating frogs. The sound of their calls filled the air. We sat by on a rock and listened, letting the sound surround us.

Spring

Winter Mountain Laurels

Spring. As much as I love the stark silhouettes of the winter landscape, I must say I am thrilled with the thought that spring is here and that soon, the leaves will return to the trees. The moss will become emerald green again and the chill in the air will lift.

Of course I won’t abandon winter imagery just yet and next week I will return to the Center for Contemporary Printmaking one day a week where I will  work of completing the series of prints, mostly monotypes, that I began in my residency at Weir Farm this time last year.  Meanwhile I will be searching the landscapes for my next subjects.

Sally Frank