3.15.84 by Frank Lobdell

3.15.84 by Frank Lobdell

3.15.84

Frank Lobdell

Title

3.15.84

 
Artist

Frank Lobdell

  1921 - 2013 (biography)
Year
1984  
Technique
color monotype 
Image Size
13 7/8 x 17 7/8" image 
Signature
pencil, lower center 
Edition Size
1 of 1 unique 
Annotations
titled "3.15.84" in lower left margin 
Reference
 
Paper
antique-white wove Rives BFK with watermark 
State
published 
Publisher
Made in California 
Inventory ID
21644 
Price
SOLD
Description

One of the early Bay Area Abstract Expressionists Frank Lobdell moved between painting and printmaking throughout his whole career. In 1983, Lobdell began working with Master Printer David Kelso at Made in California Press where he produced his first color intaglios. He continued to work with Kelso until 2000 and their collaboration resulted in nearly fifty intaglio editions and numerous unique color monotypes.

Frank Lobdell used a variety of direct inking techniques to create this plate for this tense, dramatic composition. Lobdell, like a number of Abstract Expressionists, preferred to title his work, using the date he did it rather than influence the viewer with a title. Lobdell used the date of publication for his title. This intaglio is titled in this manner: 3.15.84.

In his early printmaking career, as part of the Sausalito 6, his lithographs were included in the 1948 "Drawings" portfolio, the first Abstract Expressionist portfolio done in the U.S. For a good description of Lobdell's early lithographic methods read David Acton's "The Stamp of Impulse: Abstract Expressionist Prints", Worcester Museum, 1981, page 66.