Whether you are a knitter or not, it is difficult not to appreciate the depth and texture of Vermont artist, Carol E. S. MacDonald’s knit-inspired monoprints. They are both of, and about knitting, as well as conceptual works about teaching, the art of printing, and community. The work also speaks to the wonder of possibility, as she says, “That you can make a fabric out of a single thread.”
Knit Fragment IX
Carol places pieces of textile that she has knit herself onto her hand-operated press, often layering multiple images onto the same sheet of paper to achieve her final print. Depending on the piece, she may also draw or paint into the print giving it additional depth. Many of her prints have an almost photographic-like detail in the knit stitches.
Knit Fragment III
Visit CarolMacDonald.com and you will see many more of her wonderful prints, many inspired by ravens and crows, nests and labyrinths. Using knit textiles as a medium in her work is relatively new for Carol, and I anticipate exciting and unexpected works from her in the future.
Regenerate II
MacDonald currently teaches printmaking at the Community College of Vermont. In her studio, she leads monthly Monotype Workshops for artists and runs a summer art camp program for young people. For many years she led No Limits for Women Artists support groups. Community arts organizing has been a passion for MacDonald, who worked for twenty years with the Women’s Caucus for Art and was a founder of the Art’s Alive Festival of Fine Art in Burlington, VT. MacDonald has been a leader in organizing the community of women in the arts.
Knit Stratum VI
Steel & Silk II
Knit Structure VII
Rift II
Knit Pattern IV
If you like this, you may also like my Knit & Purl blog posts.
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