Abundant with inspirations from the natural world and birdlife, Rachel Mentzer’s work focuses on collagraph printmaking with chine collé. Based in Lorain, Ohio, Rachel first discovered printmaking through a community class, and has been captivated by the medium ever since. Largely self-taught in the techniques she uses, she passes these skills on through printmaking classes, helping others explore their creativity while sharing sustainable practices.
Rachel’s work predominantly focuses on the resilience of birds, which adapt to human-made structures in unexpected ways. She tells us; “During the pandemic, birdwatching became a call to action, reminding me of nature’s ability to reclaim what we discard”. Also inspired by the concept of sustainability, Rachel uses her art to critique overproduction and waste, while celebrating nature’s regenerative power.
This basis of sustainability is further embraced through her use of materials. Rachel uses non-toxic mediums, soy-based inks, and repurposed waste, creating prints that embody both environmental critique and hope for renewal. Her collagraph prints are made using recycled and found materials such as packaging, cardboard, and industrial debris. Exploring the tension between natural elements and human impact, Rachel’s work features birds, telephone wires, and industrial structures. Each print is a layered reflection on how we affect the environment and how nature persists in the face of human activity. “I’m especially drawn to themes of transformation and impermanence,” says the printmaker. Thus, Rachel uses delicate materials like Kozo paper to convey fragility and light.
She concludes; “My goal is to encourage viewers to reflect on our relationship with the environment, and to show that even waste can be transformed into something meaningful and beautiful”.
www.rachelmentzerart.com
@rachelmentzerart
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