Late 20th Century Canten, Kathleen. “The Covered Bridge” Limited Edition Lithograph (27/260) of an Original Intaglio Etching

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Limited Edition (27/260) Lithograph on fine art paper of an original intaglio four-color plated etching (explained within) by Kathleen Canteen … Read more Limited Edition (27/260) Lithograph on fine art paper of an original intaglio four-color plated etching (explained within) by Kathleen Canteen (1951-), American. The theme of an American countryside. This is an earlier work, is no longer available in the artist’s inventory, and was likely produced in the mid to late 1980s.

This piece pictures a serene country road adjacent to a peaceful lake, featuring in the foreground a lovely wooden covered bridge. The scene evokes a delightful mix of meditative curiosity, playfulness and back country charm. The viewer is drawn at first to the water and the greenery, noticing the edges of the original painting and the home in the background, almost before fully contemplating the road’s bridge and its cover. It is delightful. Colors are primarily greens and yellows. Presented in a wonderfully graduated frame edge (pictured). The artist etches year-round and seasonally. Her work is reflective of the Autumn season.

The artist, Kathleen Canten, has a lovely talent, and the scene and title are delightfully pointed and poignant. The viewer cannot help but want to travel such a fine road and adventure under the covered bridge and around the lake. I am delighted by this piece. I chose to offer it in my collection as a nice compliment to the earlier Japanese bridge artwork available in our collection. I am fascinated by the possibilities and journeys that foot roads and bridges offer us, especially when water is available as a past-time along the bridge. There is also a great comfort in these serene country scenes, that even the flowers are at ease, and the landscape just blends right in. So much so, that the viewer could wish to walk around, undisturbed and too, blending right in.

21 x 1.2 x 27.5in (framed)

Kathleen Cantin, accomplished artist, etcher and printmaker presently makes her home in North Carolina where she is constantly refreshed by the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Since her graduation from the University of New Hampshire, Kathleen Cantin has participated in some of the nations most prestigious print exhibits including the 2nd United States International Graphics Annual, the 23rd Berkshire Museum Exhibition, Boston Printmakers 30th Annual Exhibition, Davidson National Print and Drawing Competition, and the 39th Exhibition of Miniature Painters, Sculptors, and Engravers Society of Washington, D.C.

Kathleen Cantin's expert command of the etching medium led to further honors when she was awarded commisions by the N.H. Graphics Society, President and Mrs. Derek Bok of Harvard University, the Franklin Mint, and Collector's Guild. Prints by this talented artist may be found in the collections of the Smithsonian Institute, the Philadelphia Public Library, the Decordova and Fairbanks Museums, The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia, and in numerous galleries throughout the United States. Corporate collections include Hawk Mountain Corporation, Proctor Trust Company, and The Burlington Savings Bank. Awards include the Helen Slottman Graphics Award from the Pen & Brush Club, New York.

Kathleen’s words on her etchings:

“Among the many forms of printmaking available to artists today, one of the most intriguing and beautiful is the intaglio process that produces an original etching. Like other kinds of printmaking, the etching process results in an edition of multiple originals: a limited number of finished prints, all created personally by the artist and all subtly different.”

Coloring:
“Kathleen creates four or more plates to put color on an etching and does no hand coloring. She creates the master plate and watercolors a print from it to get an idea of the mood she wants to create with color. She'll have to figure out how she can create that mood with four or five different plates. Sometimes she'll have eight or nine colors on one plate, and we'll have to wipe very carefully. When she's done, it looks like a fine painting. It takes a lot of time to create an etching this way.” (as described by Decor Magazine)

What makes etchings so special? To some, it's the fact that the artist is so closely involved in the actual platemaking process. Today, so many kinds of art are just photocopied from an original, and the artist isn't involved in creating the actual print. But in an etching, all the work is done on the plate. It's a very time-consuming method. The artist who makes an etching is very devoted to the medium and it's very personal for him/her.”

Though I would describe her work as more Naturalist than Surrealist, there is a magical quality to the sunshine (seen more in her Summer works), haze and tones used by Ms. Canten. I have therefore included this descriptive term in this listing. I love the subtle use of color and detail used to bring about this magical quality to a landscape etching. Ms. Canten’s brilliance and dedication is well-represented in her works. See less