Raleigh, NC

Maria Frati is a relief printmaker and oil painter. Her work is inspired by her deep connection with the natural world; be that through lived experience, memory and personal mythology. Maria’s printmaking process is time intensive, experimental and intuitive. Each print uses multiple smaller plates to make the whole. Every piece is highly unique much like a monotype. Her work is alive with color, pattern and texture.

 

Maria hails from rural Maine raised in a family of artists. She received her Bachelors degree from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a Masters degree in art education from the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore. She subsequently taught art in public schools including four in New York City. In 2015 she served as an artist in residence for the national park system. Maria is currently a tenant artist at ArtSpace in downtown Raleigh where she works and teaches printmaking on a large flatbed press.

View Artist Website

Images of Work

Techniques

Linoleum block prints (reduction prints)

Favorite Products

-Battleship Gray Linoleum. It’s the best! Cuts great, no cracking or crumbling and it’s super durable. Lino plates are useable after many runs through the press.

-Speedball Rollers. I use them everyday. I especially love the soft rubber rollers. I use a whole range of roller sizes but my secret weapon are the mini rollers which I use to blend gradients right on the plate.

-Speedball Professional Relief ink (white)

This particular white really pops!

I like using this ink mixed with other oil based colors as a tint. In my experience it works great as a last layer when I’m creating reduction prints.

-Speedball Relief Oil Based Fabric Ink

These fabric inks are hands down the best. I’ve had a lot of success printing on a variety of fabrics including heavy canvas. The pinks and blues are my favorites, and I love mixing the metallics with a little bit of color. The transparent base works well to extend print time and ink. The pearlescent additive can be used to create some shimmery transparent prints, which I like to layer over more opaque ones.

Upcoming Workshops/Events

Printed Bags! ArtSpace, Raleigh, NC Saturday, July 23rd.

Introduction to Linocuts in Color, ArtSpace, Raleigh, NC Saturday, August 6th. Contact Maria for more details about summer workshops. Frati.Maria@gmail.com