With a miniature art exhibition coming up, I decided to continue making monotypes, using the same approach I took in making larger works to make some miniatures. Using smaller stencils and a similar colour palette, I made a set of 16 prints, each 7 x 11 cm. Two of them happily stood alone, so I have framed them, and I decided I would like to make a miniature book out of some of the others. As usual, I went through a number of ideas and approaches before I decided on a concertina. I wanted to keep the torn edges of each print, so made a backing from a drypoint print, printed in ochre on brown paper (see below), then folded and glued 8 of the prints down. The imagery suggested to me the views you see in Central Australia – bright blue skies, red dirt and huge monolithic rock formations, so I have called it ‘Mapping the Road from East to West’. Once the book was made, I felt it needed more depth and intensity, so with some trepidation decided to overprint it using the drypoint plate that made the texture on the back. If it hadn’t worked, I would have had to abandon the whole thing, but all was well, and I think it has enhanced the imagery, and the sense of Central Australia.
Once the book was complete I made a tag to contain all the details (the colophon), then had to decide on how it would be held together, whether a box, or a tie of some kind. The final solution was to make a slip cover, open at both ends, like the cover on a box of matches, from two of the remaining prints.
The title of the exhibition is East Meets West in Miniature – this is open to broad interpretation, so I decided to make it where East meets West in Central Australia.
anna warren portfolio 
These are sublime – the individual prints as well as the book with its cover. I am convinced of Central Australia – and you have convinced me with such economy – which leaves much room for my (the viewer’s) power of suggestion. Exquisite – and made with such care and ingenuity that there must be Japanese in you somewhere back.
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I’m very pleased you are convinced, and also that there is still room for personal interpretation too. Ah, that Japanese ancestor – I’d like to think that was the case!
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It’s true Annako-san!
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That can be my new name!
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And such a nice name. I believe ko on the end of a girl’s or woman’s name is like ‘little’ – so Little Anna. So many Japanese female names have ko on the end. Probably a bit paternalistic!
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It is a lovely name – it isn’t easy to find a diminutive for ‘Anna’ so I will happily accept this! (I have a Japanese friend called Mineko, so there is an example of the ko!)
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A beautiful piece of work! Those are my colours, so I might be biased!
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Thanks Leonie! I love those earthy colours too, can’t leave them alone.
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Ha, ha. I went to the art shop and bought another ochre this week. Just because it looked so good!
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As we do … !
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Love the panorama in bookform idea, very effective. The monos to me seem like watercolours. Very mature work for someone who doesn’t like monoprints! 😎
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Thanks Janina! The inks I use are water-based, so maybe that goes to the watercolour look. As not not liking monoprints, it’s like everything in life, once you get to know more, you can fall in love!
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Nice work!
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Thank you! Very kind of you to day so.
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What a unique and very beautiful creation, Anna!
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Thank you so much Lisa.
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Lovely prints Anna – I wish you all the best with the exhibition….
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Thanks Evelyn, fingers crossed! I know all the other works will be good, so hope mine will complement them!
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Everything about it is exquisite. I have never been to Australia, but definitely sense that I am somewhere. Just beautiful.
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Thank you so much Nancy – capturing that sense of place is very important to me, I’m so glad it is there.
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How does one translate a personal journey of discovery , that sense of *beforeness in such an ancient landscape successfully into one’s art ?
Well , you’ve done JUST that Anna . Something very special within the folds here in your miniature book . I love how you’ve approached the theme … the printed overlayered background is a beautiful addition … dried river beds … contours of a kind … yes mapping … clever you !
Those little monoliths huddle together like a family in harmony !
Wishing you all very best for the exhibition xx Poppy
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The Australian landscape is so ancient, it is a challenge to try to encapsulate it – I’m delighted that you get that sense Poppy, and the cracked earth and contours … I am captivated by maps, and journeys, they seem so significant to the relationship between us and our place in the world. Thank you so much Poppy, I always appreciate your comments, lovely to hear from you – I hope all is well in your world! xx
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Simply gorgeous.
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I did enjoy making this one Elena – thank you!
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