Jason Middlebrook
A Lucky Gift
and 7 colors of screenprint on Magnani Pescia
28 3/4" x 22"
Image:
20 1/2" x 16 1/2"
About the Artwork
Jason Middlebrook’s deep connection to nature, evident in his immediate responses to the environment around him, informs much of his work. Upon arriving at PS Marlowe printmaking studio in Asheville, North Carolina, Jason immediately began searching his outdoor and indoor surroundings for inspiration. The resulting findings would cement a rubber plant (known to attract luck) as the primary focus of this vibrant print.
A Lucky Gift is meticulously crafted, combining lithography and screenprinting to achieve soft blends and tactile dimension. This layered approach emphasizes the importance of texture, color, and the physical presence of printmaking.
Curatorial Opinion
Middlebrook’s plant-centric approach not only shapes the subjects of his art, but also influences his color schemes and mark-making decisions as well. The background, reminiscent of slate mountains, undergoes shifts in color and light resulting in an earthy, rock-like texture. A vibrant sunset blend on the rubber plant stands out in deliberate contrast. Even at the image edges, where the plant disrupts the rigid plane, there’s a captivating interplay between moments of awe and solidity. This tension contributes to the artwork’s impact, as Jason seeks to evoke a nuanced experience, oscillating between moments of brilliance and a grounded backdrop.
and 7 colors of screenprint on Magnani Pescia
28 3/4" x 22"
Image:
20 1/2" x 16 1/2"
About the Artist
Jason Middlebrook (b. 1966 in Jackson, MI) is a painter, sculptor, and mixed-media artist whose artworks range from intricate paintings to site-specific installations. Middlebrook’s work is a meditation on nature’s power and man’s interaction with it. He pays deft attention to the ways we use, overlook, desire, and adore the world around us.
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