Breath Portrait, by Ann Tarantino

It's print time again (already!) at 20x200. As you might know by now, Tuesday is work on paper day. Today's edition comes to us from Boston artist Ann Tarantino. The edition is a reproduction of Breath Portrait (favorite colors), an ink and gouache painting that Ann made especially for 20x200. The edition is available in 3 sizes, printed with archival pigment prints on a nice hefty 100% cotton rag matte paper. They are now available at 20x200:

200 of the smaller prints (8.5"x11") are available for $20 each.
20 of medium prints (13"x19") are available for $200 each.
2 of the large prints (22" x30") are available for $2000 each.

The made-special-for us original painting is available too. To inquire about purchasing it, send an email to collector@20x200.com.

The Breath Portraits are the product of a new kind of action painting: the foundation of this series is patterns Ann creates by blowing ink through a straw. She goes on to embellish the work with paint and ink, adding purpose and intention to the (somewhat) random outcome that her breath initially creates.

It's an interesting contrast - the idea of the control of one's breath and yet only having so much power over its outcome, which is then followed by the attention and focus of emotion and intellect. It's an exercise in letting go and also taking charge of what you're able to. There is something of an Eastern vibe, which makes sense, considering that Ann started working on the series while residing in Kyoto.

When a friend recommend that I check out Ann's work, I was apprehensive. Having a friend recommend another friend who's an artist is always a dicey proposition. The collision of differing tastes in the context of a relationship can be awkward.

I was delighted (and relieved!) to go to Ann's website and find work that was different than what I'm normally drawn to, and lovely to behold. Picking things that I know I like is always fun, but discovering I like something that's new to me is even better. So, many thanks to my friend Karen for the excellent artist tip.

Tomorrow is photo day, and boy oh boy, we've got a good one, so check back then!