Festive parties and manicured parks set the stage in Mark Mulhern's inviting monotypes. These one-of-a-kind prints are an essential part of Mulhern's creative process and allow him to explore gestures, movements, clothing, and different surroundings. These images may sometimes reappear in his paintings.

The monotype is a unique print made by drawing or painting an image on a non-absorbent plate and transferring the image to paper through a press. Mark Mulhern begins the printing process by mixing printing inks and applying the inks to a plexiglass plate. Once satisfied with his composition, he runs the paper and plate through a press. As paper and plate go through the press, the image is transferred to the paper.

When the monotype is dry, Mulhern often works back into the image using gouache, watercolor, pastel, or charcoal to refine his original print. The finished piece is now more akin to a drawing than a print. The process of making monotypes allows for a flexible method of creation. The artist is able to layer and remove colors in ways he cannot while working on a canvas.

Mark Mulhern received a BFA from the Layton School of Art in 1973. From 1976-77, he studied in France with Stanley William Hayter, the master printmaker who founded the legendary "Atelier 17" studio in Paris. In 1978, he returned to Wisconsin and earned an MFA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Mulhern's works are held in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, NY, NY; Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL; Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI; Museum of Wisconsin Art, West Bend, WI; Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI; Chazen Museum of Art, Madison, WI, among others.

Tory Folliard Gallery has represented Mark Mulhern since 1988. 

 
 

Summer Luncheon

Monotype with added gouache and pastel

40 x 30”

 
 
 

Early Fall

Monotype with added gouache and pastel

40 x 30”

 
 
 

PARTY PREPARATIONS

Monotype with added gouache and pastel

41 x 30”

 
 
 

TIERED CAKE

Monotype

16 x 16” (image) 31 x 22” (paper)

 
 
 

FINISHING TOUCHES

Monotype with added gouache and pastel

40 x 30”

 
 
 

Fall Gathering

Monotype with added gouache and pastel

40 x 30”

 
 
 

UNDER THE MULBERRY

Monotype with added gouache

15 x 21”

 

If you would like to see more work by Mark Mulhern