Paper Ashes

Bette Burgoyne is a Seattle-based artist whose recent works are made with only a white prismacolor pencil and black paper. I asked her to describe her methods for this post:

Similar to jazz improvisation, I begin with a thematic structure while encouraging form and movement to emerge by rubbing and scratching with my pencil. For example, I conceive a drawing with a flexible construct in mind of “smoke” or “waves” or “reflection” and elaborate from there. Impressions from my subconscious collection of trees, water, mycological formations, minerals, and clouds are defined by applying veils and layers of visual information.

The results recall for me Max Ernst’s photograms (see one at the bottom of this post) and Hans Bellmer’s drawings. I’m really pleased to share them here! Click for larger versions.

01 Bette Burgoyne, Paper Ashes, 2010
Bette Burgoyne, Paper Ashes, 14″ x 9″, black paper, white and silver pencils

02 Bette Burgoyne, Cirrostratus, 9" x 6.5"
Bette Burgoyne, Cirrostratus, 9″ x 6.5″, black paper, white pencil

03 Bette Burgoyne, Whisper Vapor, 16" x 21"
Bette Burgoyne, Whisper Vapor, 16″ x 21″, black paper, white pencil

04 Bette Burgoyne, The Knot, 19" x 22"
Bette Burgoyne, The Knot, 19″ x 22″, black paper, white pencil

05 Bette Burgoyne, Nag Champa, 8" x 6"
Bette Burgoyne, Nag Champa, 8″ x 6″, black paper, white pencil

06 Bette Burgoyne, Auricula, 10" x 12.5"
Bette Burgoyne, Auricula, 10″ x 12.5″, black paper, white pencil

07 Bette Burgoyne, Clathrus Morning, 16" x 22"
Bette Burgoyne, Clathrus Morning, 16″ x 22″, black paper, white pencil

08 Bette Burgoyne, Sacrum, 10" x 6.5"
Bette Burgoyne, Sacrum, 10″ x 6.5″, black paper, white pencil

09 Bette Burgoyne, Fountain, 10" x 15"
Bette Burgoyne, Fountain, 10″ x 15″, black paper, white pencil

10 Bette Burgoyne, Primordia, 13.5" x 16"
Bette Burgoyne, Primordia, 13.5″ x 16″, black paper, white pencil

11 Bette Burgoyne, Transillumination, 25" x 30"
Bette Burgoyne, Transillumination, 25″ x 30″, black paper, white pencil

12 Bette Burgoyne, Water White and Black, 2010
Bette Burgoyne, Water White and Black, black paper, white and silver pencils

Previously:
Shuzo Takiguchi
Unica Zurn
Anya Triestram
Penny Davenport
Herbert Pfostl
Graham Lambkin

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