A BYU student artist is embracing imperfection by creating unique, unrepeatable works of art through monotype.
Savannah Liddicoat’s preferred medium of art is monotype, a printmaking technique that creates a single unique piece by inking a smooth surface and then transferring the image to paper.
“I’m not thinking about anything when I’m doing it. Like everything kind of zones out and l’m in pure bliss,” Liddicoat said.
Liddicoat says her BYU professor suggested she try experimenting with monotype.
“With painting it just wasn’t clicking. And then as soon as I did monotype, it was just like ding! That’s your thing,” Liddicoat said.
Liddicoat uses tools like paintbrushes, Q-tips, a toothbrush and even candy wrappers to create shapes and texture in the ink.
“It’s fun to have a negative space, but then also see the traces of the ink that you washed away,” Liddicoat said.
Each monotype is unique and cannot be replicated.
“I feel like mistakes are what makes a piece in monoprinting,” Liddicoat said.
Liddicoat experiments with different color combinations, paper colors and pressures until she likes the product.
A collection of Liddicoat’s monotypes and paintings are on display at Mozz Artisan Pizza in downtown Provo for one month. This is Liddicoat’s first solo show. The opening reception for the gallery was last weekend.
“The turn-out was actually amazing, like, I could cry it was so good,” Liddicoat said.
Buyers have already claimed several of the pieces in Liddicoat’s show.