Brian Fisher Print, Paint and Sculpture Blog

Ilse Reimnitz introduced me to monotype printmaking and Quartermaster Press 20 years ago.  She is a great friend and mentor.  I always enjoy talking with her and every time we teach a workshop together I learn something new from Ilse.   Ilse Reimnitz has an innate sense for asymmetrical composition.  She is a master of watercolor and monotype.  Her success in both mediums relies on her ability to subtly layer texture and imagery.  What often first appears to be a simple though elegant composition upon a closer look is revealed to be complex, mysterious, and texturally rich.  The QMP 25 Retrospective Exhibit, April 6 - May 25 at Vashon Center for the Arts will include Ilse's monotype "Current" 29 x 21 in. "Current" Monotype by Ilse Reimnitz

These photographs were taken of Quartermaster Press studio in about 2001, courtesy of Marian Wachter.  QMP studio was originally located on Quartermaster Drive and on the property of Michael Richards and Rita Brogen in what was formerly a potting shed.   Valerie Willon's press made by Ray Trayle, is at center of the interior photo. Check out the scale of the wheel!   Pinned to the wall are prints Marian Wachter was working on.  It was a sweet place even if a bit drafty! Below are members Bonnie Wilkins, Adrienne Edmonson, Suzanna Leigh, Brian Fisher, Ilse Reimnitz, Laura Davidheiser and Marian Wachter in publicity photo for QMP. QMP Publicity Photo 2001 QMP Interior 2001

Bonnie Wilkins's approach to monotype print is unique and inspirational.  Her work has a timeless quality that embodies a joyful calmness and meditative stillness.  Bonnie says about her work- "The appeal of making monotypes is, for me, the joy of being surprised and delighted by the intricate complexity and beauty that shows up as a result of layered process."  "The collage aspect of the work gave me the opportunity to indulge my love for the “treasure hunt.”  I was always seeking the exquisite fallen leaf, or the beautiful accident on a piece of my disassembled monotypes."  Below is Bonnie's pieced monotype, "Pastorale", 30 x 31 in. "Pastorale"  monotype by Bonnie Wilkins

I am delighted that Corvidae Press has featured my Monotype Print "The Calydonian Boar" as their image on the call for submissions to Printmaker's Hand IV, their 2018 Exhibition! It is always a geat show at the Northwind Art Center in Port Townsend. Last year The Printmakers Hand exhibit coincided with Port Townsend's open studio. That made it all the more fun to visit!  Corvidae Press was on the tour and their studio at For Warden was the highlight for me of the tour. OK~ Quartermaster Press Printers, you only have a few more days to submit!

Max Beckmann wrote "Art is creative for the sake of realization, not for amusement: for transfiguration, not for the sake of play. It is the quest of our self that drives us along the eternal and never-ending journey we must all make."  Valerie Willson's quest brought her and a very large etching bed press to Vashon Island in 1993 where she founded Quartermaster Press and has shared her excitement for print process ever since.  Her journey has also led her to explore other media as well, including: pastel, paint, en caustic and most recently photography.  ValerieWillson.com For the Quartermaster Press 25 year retrospective exhibit at Vashon Center for the Arts Koch Gallery,  April 6 - May 25, Valerie Willson has chosen to display etchings created in the period that the press itself was made and when she was exploring everything that multiple copper plate etching might yield.  This is Nasturtiums a three copperplate etching with Intaglio and aquatint, 19 3/4 x 14 3/4

QMP, Quartermaster Press, was founded in 1993 when artist Valerie Willson moved to Vashon Island, Washington with a very large etching bed press.  The press was new.  Valerie had commissioned Ray Trayle to build it two years before when her second story studio in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon could easily accommodate it and two other presses. Valerie's new, smaller, Vashon Island studio could not accommodate the press and so she and a handful of Vashon Island artists came together to form Quartermaster Press.  The new cooperative shared a press, studio, ideas and friendship. Twenty five years later those foundational ideals are still common denominators of Quartermaster Press.  Below is a 1995 publicity photo of QMP artists Jill Stenn, Valerie Willson, Sue Grant, Bonnie Wilkins and Ilse Reimnitz.  Valerie Willson has been the constant in this artistic equation.  Thank you Valerie for your dedication and contributions to the exploration of print process.  You are one

My good friend and fellow printer Ilse Reimnitz and I shared our print passion with 9 students this past weeknd.  Most of them were new friends and new to monotype print.  Ilse introduced me to monotype 20 years ago.  It continues to be my inky hands-down favorite way to make imagery!