Mary Brodbeck

“Lake Superior inspires me as a subject matter with it’s exposed ruggedness, color, clarity, and ancient mythologies. I find this deep, cold, unyielding yet susceptible fresh water inland sea worthy of both reverence and protection.

“I have taken several camping trips in Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Ontario, and Isle Royale in order to sketch and gather materials for making my woodblock prints. The sketches made while on these trips have proven to be essential resources for my work.
In 1998, I received a five month long Bunka Cho fellowship to study traditional Japanese woodblock printmaking methods in Tokyo, and have been dedicated to this process since.

“I am currently working on a woodblock print series entitled “Thirty-Six Views of Lake Superior”, based upon views from the circumference of the Lake. The inspiration for this series comes from the raw beauty of the lake itself, as well as from the famous 19th century Japanese print series Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji, by Katsushika Hokusai.

“I enjoy working with hand tools and wood. Making a multi-color woodblock print entails carving separate blocks (or separate areas on a block) for each color. I usually use eight blocks and up to fourteen colors for each print. I have a comfortable mastery of this technique yet continue to grow and discover while using Lake Superior as my subject.

“My undergraduate degree and early professional work were in Industrial Design. That early training and experiences influence the stylized and three-dimensional qualities of my prints. I also feel akin to the early 20th century paintings of Lake Superior by Canadian Lawren Harris.

“Art speaks its won language with each viewer coming away with his or her own interpretation. I hope that my art cheers to the good qualities in all of us and speaks of love, beauty, mystery, desire and optimism for a non-fearful future.”

Learn more about Mary Brodbeck at www.marybrodbeck.com