Rustscape #10

This print depicts a pumpjack oil rig. I am fascinated with these perpetual-motion machines, even as I am appalled by our continued reliance and extraction of fossil fuels. The 'disco lines' are evidence of our collective celebration of this dead-end industry. Drill, baby, drill! Ecological inferno! About 8 years ago I experimented with placing iron filings and rusted objects between damp pieces of paper. I wasn't entirely pleased with the results, so put the stack of paper in a plastic bag and forgot about it. I found the bag again this year, and was delighted with the rusted, aged and distressed paper. I proceeded to do a series of prints, called Rustscapes. "Rustscape #10" includes linoleum block and monoprint techniques in addition to the rust. It is mounted on an 8" x 8" wood cradle, ready for hanging. Three layers of polyurethane coating protects the image, which can be dusted with a lightly dampened cloth. This is a one-of-a-kind original work of art.