Amy Rice

Artist Statement

For the past ten years I have used non-traditional print-making methods (hand cut stencils and a Japanese screen printing toy called a Gocco printer) as a starting point for original mixed media pieces. I work primarily with spray paint (coupled with the stencils), acrylics, gouache, and inks. I print on antique papers preferring handwritten love letters, envelopes, journal pages, sheet music and maps.  My surfaces have also included 100 year old cedar shingles, barn boards, rusty metal, wooden and metal boxes of various origins, and discarded cabinet doors. I am most satisfied when I can make a tangible or visceral connection between the materials used and the image rendered. My work is deeply layered, often both literally and figuratively.

My imagery, nostalgic and wistful, is largely biographical and reflective of my pensive nature. I draw inspiration from childhood memories growing up on a Midwestern farm, the urban community in which I live now, bicycles, street art, gardening, random found objects, collective endeavours that challenge hierarchy, acts of compassion, downright silliness and things with wings.