Woodcut Prints
#320
269-344-6654
marybrod@aol.com

Artist's Statement

Lake Superior -- the largest fresh water lake in the world -- inspires me as a subject matter with it's exposed ruggedness, color, clarity, and ancient mythologies. I find this deep, cold, unyielding yet susceptible fresh water inland sea worthy of both reverence and protection. I am currently working on a woodcut print series entitled "Thirty-Six Views of Lake Superior", based upon views from the circumference of the Lake.

For me, making art is a process of combining the complexities of the human spirit with passion for the subject. A process . . . ever evolving, like our minds, like our bodies, like time and nature around us.

Art speaks it's own language with each viewer coming away with their own interpretation. I hope that my art cheers to the good qualities in all of us and speaks of love, beauty, mystery, desire, and optimism for a non fearful future.

Aesthetic Influences

My prints are made in the traditional Japanese manner, using water based inks, brushes and barens. I studied woodcut printmaking in Tokyo in 1998 with master woodcut printmaker Yoshisuke Funasaka through a BUNKA-CHO fellowship from the Japanese Government. The idea to do the "Thirty-Six Views of Lake Superior" series came from the 19th century Japanese artist Hokusai, who did a famous series called "Thirty-Six Views of Mt. Fuji". I am definitely influenced by the Japanese approach of using nature as a subject matter, and by using broad areas of color and simplistic designs in my image making.

Mary Brodbeck grew up on a dairy farm near Woodland, Michigan. She graduated from Michigan State University in 1982 with a degree in Industrial Design. Mary worked in the office furniture industry for a dozen years, receiving several U.S. patents and becoming listed in Who's Who of American Women. Mary received her MFA from Western Michigan University in 1999 where she received the All-University Graduate Research and Scholar Award. Mary currently exhibits her woodcut prints in venues throughout the United States, receiving many awards. In 2002 she received Best Series Award at Peninsula Art School Water Media Competition, Fish Creek, WI, Third Place at Hollywood International Print Exhibition, Hollywood, FL, and a Cash Prize at the Artlink's Annual National Print Competition, Fort Wayne, IN, among others. Mary lives in downtown Kalamazoo with her husband, stepson, cat and dog. She teaches drawing and printmaking at the Kalamazoo Institute of Art and has a studio at the Park Trades Center (by appointment only). She may be reached at 269-344-6654 or marybrod@aol.com.