Coral Dryden

I have been interested in visual fine arts for a very long time, with art lessons starting when I was thirteen and then at fifty-nine graduating with honours from the Fine Art 2yr program at Georgian College. Since then, I have never stopped learning new art methods. In 2-dimensional art works I have used mediums such as watercolour, oil pastel, chalk pastel, pencil, ink, oil paint, and acrylic. In printmaking I have done screen printing, lithograph, intaglio, block printing and gel plate. I enjoy making greeting cards and have painted objects such as jewelry boxes, wine glasses and pottery such as a milk jug.
While attending Georgian College, I learned how to do printmaking, which has become a passion for me. I am working on a series of landscape monotypes, that I have named "Halos". The golden circles in my black and white monotypes are a symbol for the memories we have of those who have passed on. In a spiritual context a sun halo or solar halo is often seen as a sign of connection to higher realms or a symbol of eternity and wholeness, representing a connection between heaven and earth.
My monotypes are first produced on a gel plate, then I hand work them to transform each monotype into a landscape using mixed media. This method can be called "printed painting "which was first described in 1678 by an art historian Samuel van Hoogstraten. (From P.246 The Complete Printmaker)
My landscape monotypes are meant to speak in magical and mysterious ways as nature does if we are willing to listen.