Artist Journal: Royce Deans and Angela Saxon
2022 Guest Artists Royce Deans and Angela Saxon were awed and thrilled by the steady, contemplative energy of Tusen Takk. As two printmakers working independently, yet resonating with the collaborative energy of process and practice, they both found new insights and directions in their monotypes during their time in the studio there.
For Royce, the month of April opened up a direction in his process that pushed far beyond his initial concepts, which included the exploration of shaped monotype plates. He developed processes whereby he was able to build complex, unique layers of color, that were predictable and controllable. His process included multiple passes through the press and shifting plate positions, including incorporating previously experimental ghost prints as a crucial, integral part of the final monotypes.
Royce commented, "The prints I created during the residency showed me that I need never be restrained by an anticipated result I hold in my head. As I responded directly to the on-press, in-between stages of the print development, a jazz-like improvisation occurred."
Water has been an ever-present subject in Angela’s work as a visual artist. The intention for her time at Tusen Takk involved a deeper dive into her relationship to open water, looking at attraction alongside anxiety. Her initial monotypes placed breaking waves at a comfortable distance from us as viewers. Delicate textures within the ink and the addition of graphite drawing describe her close observation and understanding of the subject. As the series progressed, the waves moved closer, becoming larger and all-encompassing.
Angela explained, "This series developed into a really controlled confrontation of the energy and drama of these waves. In reality, waves move THROUGH water – the water itself doesn't go anywhere. And I'm kind of obsessed with that. Within the hyper-focus of this time at Tusen Takk, I was able to give myself the permission to look at this very openly."
Learn more about Royce and Angela and their work as Guest Artists at Tusen Takk for the month of April 2022.
Royce Deans was born of parents that understood the important role that art plays in society and how crucial exposure to and participation is to the development of a young person. He was raised in the western suburbs of Chicago with access to museums and concert halls of every variety. Graduating from the American Academy of Art in Chicago gave him the foundation to build a life in the arts.
“Moving to Traverse City some four decades ago set his art on a wonderful trajectory. He counts each artistic endeavor as a rich experience that has shaped him into the artist he is today. Northern Michigan is such an incredibly beautiful place, the landscape has, of course, become an overwhelming source of inspiration.
Royce’s love for teaching and art has allowed him to travel far and wide. His artwork is in collections public and private in the US and in many of the countries of Western Europe, Israel. Highlights of his travels have been presenting classes, workshops, and retreats.
Angela Saxon’s work tells a visual story of looking at a particular subject in a particular time of day in a specific light — observing her subject in a collective way, taking time to see and understand. She has been engaged in actively pursuing an evolving visual understanding of the landscape for the last three decades. Working from the figure is also a regular part of her practice. She works in a variety of mediums including painting in acrylic and gouache and printmaking. Her studio is in Leelanau County, MI; she has a BFA in Painting from Indiana University. Her work is held in collections public and private.
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