STATEMENT

The Mezzotint is classified as a Drypoint print. The velvet black finish, which is a characteristic of this process, is achieved by the use of a Rocker. The serrated edge of this tool applies a tooth to the plate and when completely rocked it will print black. This preparation of the plate can take a few days, depending on the size of the image and plate. The image is applied by scraping away the rocked surface with a Scraper tool. Chiaroscuro and subtle tonal effects can be achieved with this method.

Editions are kept to a limited amount, to retain the fine details

As a child my late Grandmother told me fairytales that have remained deep in my psyche and instigated a need to vocalise with imagery issues important to me. These images characterise some of the myriad emotions that make us human.

The velvety blackness and intimate scale of the Mezzotint provides an ideal looking glass for this dreamlike world.

MATER FAMILIA (2010)

Mezzotint and etching 245x205 mm, from an edition of 10

Welcoming the arrival of my nephew this was executed to mark the special occasion. Kudos to my sister and her husband for creating such a beautiful babe.

CONSOLATION (2010)

Mezzotint 230x210mm, from an edition of 10

DISQUIETUDE (2010)

Mezzotint 140x160 mm, from an edition of 10

SILVERBELL (2010)

Mezzotint and etching 150x150 mm, from an edition of 15

Based upon tales my late grandmother told me as a child, I felt the need to commemorate her life the best way I knew how. 'Silver Bell' and 'The Yellow Ribbon' were my two favourite stories, there were many others but I never tired from hearing her retell these ones to me. They have in affect influenced my artwork greatly. The mezzotint lends itself well in creating an eerie and dark world of caution.

UNTITLED (2010)

Mezzotint and etching 110x110 mm, from an edition of 10

THE YELLOW RIBBON (2010)

Mezzotint and etching 150x150 mm, from an edition of 15

UNTITLED (2010)

Mezzotint and etching 110x110 mm, from an edition of 10

THE MANY FACES OF ADAM (2010)

Mezzotint and etching 297x130 mm, from an edition of 10

DEADLY NIGHTSHADE (2010)

Mezzotint 297x210 mm, from an edition of 10

When creating this work I was looking at Black widow spiders, Deadly nightshade and toying with the idea of doing a series of works with Retablos/Mexican Votive paintings in mind.

ENCOUNTER (2009)

Mezzotint 140x120 mm, from an edition of 10

OBLIVIOUS (2009)

Mezzotint 125x140 mm, from an edition of 10

DIVERGENCE (2009)

Mezzotint 100x125 mm, from an edition of 10

THE NEW ACQUISITION (2009)

Mezzotint and etching 105x70 mm, from an edition of 10

APPETENCE (2009)

Mezzotint 70x120 mm, from an edition of 10

UNTITLED (2009)

Mezzotint and Etching 120x70 mm, from an edition of 10

JORINGEL'S DREAM (2009)

Mezzotint 175x220 mm, from an edition of 10

Literally based on the Grimm's Fairy tale Jorinda and Joringel, a tale of two lovers who are separated after a witch turns Jorinda into a Nightengale - very abbreviated version sorry - for a better description you can read it here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jorinde_and_Joringel

This print depicts the dream Joringel has that spurs him on to find his lost love....

AVIFAUNA (2009)

Mezzotint 70x140 mm, from an edition of 10

ANIMOSITY (2009)

Mezzotint 120x145mm, from an edition of 10

ANXIETY (2009)

Mezzotint 75x100mm, from an edition of 10

This print signifies a change of direction in my art - While I was over in Glasgow the recession had just kicked in. It was a time of uncertainty and growing unemployment which in affect created an apprehensive environment. Glasgow was hit very hard. I walked by closing shops and businesses on a daily basis. These works window the anxiety felt by many. 'Agitated', 'Apprehension', 'Appetence', 'Animosity' and 'The New Acquistion' were all made around this time.

APPREHENSION (2009)

Mezzotint 75x105mm, from an edition of 10

AGITATED (2009)

Mezzotint 75x140mm, from an edition of 10

THE GIANT WHO HAD NO HEART IN HIS BODY II (2009)

Mezzotint 170x105mm, from an edition of 10

Another illustration for a melancholic fairytale - I set out to do a series based on this tale but found the works became a bit to literal and tired of the idea - I still like these as art works so these two made it onto the blog regardless.

THE GIANT WHO HAD NO HEART IN HIS BODY III (2009)

Mezzotint 170x105mm, from an edition of 10

KEEPSAKE I (2008)

Mezzotint 75x90mm, from an edition of 15

Fresh to Glasgow I faced a creative block of what to do next....I collect brooches from my travels and have been gifted many by friends and family. I was feeling homesick one day and decided to draw a selection of brooches given to me by the people I missed - the Keepsake series began. 'Keepsake I' is my favourite and based on a beautiful brooch my mother gave me. It has become more poignant because I lost it.....some lucky person in Glasgow is probably wearing it around town as I write this.....The fine metal detail has become a recurring design in my work so all was not lost.

KEEPSAKE II (2008)

Mezzotint 75x90mm, from an edition of 15

KEEPSAKE III (2008)

Mezzotint 75x90mm, from an edition of 15

KEEPSAKE IV (2008)

Mezzotint 75x90mm, from an edition of 15

PEREGRINATIONS: TRAVELS IN A FOREIGN LAND I (2004)

Mezzotint 175x135mm, from an edition of 15

Facing up to insecurities to make light of and overcome the fears that can plague us - to put it briefly that is the mind-space from which this work originated from.....

PEREGRINATIONS: TRAVELS IN A FOREIGN LAND II (2004)

Mezzotint 175x135mm, from an edition of 15

PEREGRINATIONS: TRAVELS IN A FOREIGN LAND III (2004)

Mezzotint 175x135mm, from an edition of 15

PEREGRINATIONS: TRAVELS IN A FOREIGN LAND IV (2004)

Mezzotint 175x135mm, from an edition of 15

PEREGRINATIONS: TRAVELS IN A FOREIGN LAND I (2004)

Mezzotint 175x135mm, from an edition of 15

THE LOSS I (2003)

Mezzotint 195x110mm, from an edition of 15

THE LOSS II (2003)

Mezzotint 195x110mm, from an edition of 15

THE LOSS III (2003)

Mezzotint 195x110mm, from an edition of 15

THE LOSS IV (2003)

Mezzotint 195x110mm, from an edition of 15

THE LOSS V (2003)

Mezzotint 195x110mm, from an edition of 15

TOBY I (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

Tobias E Milsom 1977-1993 - In loving memory

TOBY II (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY III (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY IV (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY V (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY VI (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY VII (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY VIII (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

TOBY IX (2003)

Mezzotint 110x110mm, from an edition of 10

SAFETY NET (2004)

Mezzotint 300x170mm, from an edition of 15

MY PARENTS (2003)

Mezzotint 160x100mm, from an edition of 1

MELANCHOLY (2003)

Mezzotint 140x110mm, from an edition of 15