Watch as Mary Ann demonstrates her unique printing technique.
About Mary Ann de Buy Wenniger
Mary Ann de Buy Wenniger creates original fine prints, known as collagraphs, in her home studio in Gloucester, MA. Her work expresses her delight in everyday life, the quotidian. She excells at the craft that she has developed over the past 50 years. Her collagraph technique is a rare art form that one rarely finds in the artworld today.
Mary Ann was one of the first artists to experiment with the collagraph during its genesis in the 1960's when polymer glues were developed that make it possible to create permanently adhered collaged plates. The plates are made from plastic glues affixing found materials to a base: fabrics, papers, string, eggshells, feathers abstractly suggesting subjects she has loved and providing unpredictable textures and gestures. The plates themselves are art works. They take weeks to assemble. The assembled collage is then painted with oil-based paints, using an intricate and time comsuming process. mixing and applying appropriate colors with brushes, sponges and cloth, tearing and soaking the rag printmaking papers, creating a sandwich of plate & paper on the bed of the press, then its the magic moment when the printmaking sandwich rides beneath the roller-type intaglio press it becomes a one of a kind exclusive collagraph print. Wenniger chooses as her subjects: landscapes and seascapes, clothing, and clotheslines. People engaged in all sorts of work, and most recently, Aprons with Attitude. They are beautiful celebrations of American life, people, and places.
Mary Ann was one of the first artists to experiment with the collagraph during its genesis in the 1960's when polymer glues were developed that make it possible to create permanently adhered collaged plates. The plates are made from plastic glues affixing found materials to a base: fabrics, papers, string, eggshells, feathers abstractly suggesting subjects she has loved and providing unpredictable textures and gestures. The plates themselves are art works. They take weeks to assemble. The assembled collage is then painted with oil-based paints, using an intricate and time comsuming process. mixing and applying appropriate colors with brushes, sponges and cloth, tearing and soaking the rag printmaking papers, creating a sandwich of plate & paper on the bed of the press, then its the magic moment when the printmaking sandwich rides beneath the roller-type intaglio press it becomes a one of a kind exclusive collagraph print. Wenniger chooses as her subjects: landscapes and seascapes, clothing, and clotheslines. People engaged in all sorts of work, and most recently, Aprons with Attitude. They are beautiful celebrations of American life, people, and places.
Premier Printmaking as an art and treasure
.JPG)
Mary Ann has enjoyed success not only as a printmaker, artist, but also as an informed voice on printmaking. Mary Ann has published four titles, of which Collagraph Printmaking, is the definitive book on the subject (Watson-Guptill 1978).
With credentials from several notable schools, including an M.A. in Art Education from Harvard University and an M.F.A. from Vermont College. Mary Ann studied Art history at Boston University and New York University.
For forty years she and her late husband, Mace, were well-respected art dealers and gallerists. They operated Wenniger Graphics in Boston, Rockport, and Provincetown. Wenniger collagraphs are primarily in private homes.
Mary Ann now works out of Stone Cottage, in Gloucester, MA, her home, art showroom and studio. By appointment only she invites you to come watch her print and view her work.
Mary Ann now works out of Stone Cottage, in Gloucester, MA, her home, art showroom and studio. By appointment only she invites you to come watch her print and view her work.