William Jung

The inspiration for this body of work was inspired by the rugged life of the farmers of Sullivan County who hay their fields for the sustenance it provides their livestock. Living amongst the foothills of the Catskills I could not help but notice the frenzy of activity come haying season. Amidst all of this activity I find an excitement that compliments the landscape and enhances it with the "farmer's art" as he manures, cuts, ted, windrow and finally bales his hay. What I find extremely interesting is that like any artist, he often makes do with what is available like tedders that were originally horse drawn and now pulled by Fords, or John Deere tractors that were purchased new at one time by a parent or a close relative. Using what should be in museums there appears the most ideal and bucolic scene that is quickly fading from the landscape as it is slowly changed and transformed.

In the tradition of Monet's Haystacks and Van Gogh's Potato Eaters I want to create a body of work that reflects this "farmer's art" and put it onto paper before it disappears forever. This body of work will be primarily drawn from the haying/life experiences of two of my neighbors who are farmers, whose fathers were farmers and whose father's fathers were farmers. They unfortunately do not have heirs to inherit their Ford tractors just as they inherited theirs from their fathers. Who Will Hay The Fields will be an attempt on my part to try and capture the beauty and hard work that goes into creating a bale of hay and haying a whole field.

The Monotype Technique:

The monotype technique is a printing process where the artist doesn't have to worry about all of the "technical" aspects of printmaking and can instead concentrate on being creative. Energy, improvisation, gesture, impulse and chance are all characteristics of this printing process. It is the most "painterly" and immediately rewarding technique available for creating works on paper.

Monotypes are usually made by either painting or rolling inks onto a flat surface. This flat surface can be glass, Plexiglas, or sheet metal (etching plate). With the application of pressure the image will transfer onto the paper. Pressure can be the use of an printing press, or hand pressure with a spoon or any other means that will exert enough pressure to make the image transfer.

The type of ink used for producing monotypes is an important factor. I use Akua-Kolor water-based inks to create my monotypes because it is the only water-based ink that has a greasy workable consistency similar to oil-based inks. Akua-Kolor is non-toxic, very easy to use and cleans up with water opposed to using solvents with oil based inks. Other water-based inks dry too quickly and can't be manipulated on the plate. How the ink is applied and manipulated with all of its individual characteristics are reflected in the prints, which is what makes monotypes so unique. Akua-Kolor water-based ink is new and not available yet in your local art stores. If you would like more information about purchasing Akua-Kolor, A brief history of monotypes, the difference between monotypes and monoprints, monotype techniques and tips and to see a gallery of Akua-Kolor water-based prints visit www.waterbasedinks.com

Artist- William Jung

 

Title 1: Fluffing the Hay

 

Title 2: J.R. on John Deere

Dimensions: 40" x 60"

 

Title 3: Sickle