John Solem (American, d. 2014). "Bright Angel Creek" viscosity etching. Signed, titled, and identified as an artist's proof (a/p) in pencil at lower right. Ca. late 20th century. This original, limited edition viscosity etching is from John Solem's "Wilderness Spirit" collection which captured his direct exploration of nature in Alaska, the High Sierra, the Canadian wilderness, and the Grand Canyon over a period of 30 years. Bright Angel Creek runs through the bottom of the Grand Canyon and flows into the mighty Colorado River at the end of the Kaibab Trail on the northern side of the river. By using the viscosity printing process (see more about viscosity printing below) Solem created an image in relief presenting a topographical view of the region with Angel Creek flowing through the Grand Canyon in all its majestic glory. In addition to capturing the awesome expanse of the scene, Solem also paid immense attention to details. For instance, notice the various succulents and shrubs native to the region that he included in this composition. An outstanding piece set in a custom frame behind glass. Size of viscosity print: 40.5" L x 29.7" W (102.9 cm x 75.4 cm) Size of frame: 48.2" L x 37.2" W (122.4 cm x 94.5 cm)

All is delineated in a striking color palette of sienna brown, russet red, aqua blue, sage, spring green, slate grey, black, and white - and set in a custom frame behind glass.

In 2003, John Solem had a solo exhibition at the Kwan Fong Gallery at California Lutheran University. The curators wrote the following, "Solem is a faculty emeritus of the CLU Art Department and a resident of Yosemite Lakes Park north of Fresno. The 'Wilderness Spirit' collection represents his direct experience with nature in Alaska, the High Sierra, the Canadian Wilderness and the Grand Canyon over the last 30 years. His artwork is best actualized through the flow of the sensory experiences with the natural world and shows a deep spiritual relationship between the artist and the wilderness."

Viscosity printing is a sophisticated technique that combines the principles of relief and intaglio printing. It was developed by Stanley William Hayter in Paris in the late 1960s. Viscosity by definition is a fluid's ability to resist flow. The artist can print multiple colors of ink from a single plate instead of using multiple plates to ensure color separation. The artist either scratches or etches a metal plate with acid, and then introduces a viscous ink that possesses the consistency of oil paint into the grooves. Then the polished surface is wiped clean with a cloth and newsprint. Once this is done, the ink only remains below the plate level. Following this, the artist covers the plate with a damp paper and felt blankets and runs it through a press. The immense pressure pushes the paper into the etched grooves to receive the ink. The result is that the ink that was once below the plate's surface is now embossed on the paper to create a relief surface.

Provenance: private Ventura County, California, USA collection

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#168390

This viscosity print is signed, titled, and identified as an artist's proof (a/p) in pencil at the lower right. It has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in very good condition. There are a few minor crease marks and the print has slipped out of the lower right edge of the matte a bit as shown. The frame has minor scuffs but is in overall good condition. The glass is intact, and it is wired for suspension.