Gina Palmer is best known for B&W relief portraits of sheep, goats, pigs, and other fur-bearing creatures which inhabit her commercial work. Forging a commitment to linoleum early on, it’s grassroots appeal, boldness, and direct process fits her subjects. Collaborations with rural Hudson Valley farmers, flora and fauna inform and sustain her.

Frances Jetter and Frank Eckmair, inspiring artists-educators ignited conflicts early on. Eckmair, at Buffalo State was passionately invested in the rural landscape of Central New York, while School of Visual Arts study with Frances Jetter, taught her about advocacy and the power of illustration.

Finding a path between these directions has always challenged her. Teaching is an antidote to this struggle, illuminating pathways to contemporary processes and on-going conversations.

Recently, I have been exploring a more reflective approach to generate images by layering relief work with gelatin monotype, (Gelli plate), type and collage — creating more opportunity for chance occurrences and happy accidents. The body of work here is the result of this experimentation with color, the biggest shift for a formerly B&W printmaker!

My current visual vocabulary is comprised of transparent circles, dots, clouds, birds, simple flower and seed stencils, and house forms that recombine, suggesting new stories. Showing up and being present. Letting go and diving deeper. Context evolves, narratives emerge, current events loom.

RECENT EXHIBITIONS/SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

8th Biennial Footprint International Exhibition, CCP Norwalk, CT 2022 Juried

Pressing Matters, Black & Blue Insert Challenge, Issue 18 (publication)

Bethany Arts Center - NYSATA REGION 7 October 2021, 2022

13th Biennial Miniature International Print Show, CCP Norwalk, CT 2021 Juried

Emerge Gallery 2021 - Juried

Tivoli Artists Gallery - Solo Spotlights 2021

Tivoli Artists Gallery - New Year/New Work 2021

Out of Isolation - The Firefly Artists 2020, Northport, NY - Juried

NYSATA Region 7 Annual Exhibitions 2016-2020

Hudson Valley Seed Library - Kingston, NY 2014 - Juried

Dear Mother Nature – Hudson Valley Artists 2012 The Samuel Dorsky Museum, Juried

Dutchess Community College Art Teachers Exhibition 2009

Marist College Annual Faculty Exhibitions 1996-2005

Print’s Best Letterheads and Cards, R.C. Publications 2000 Juried

Print Magazine Regional Design Annual 1996, 1997, 1998 Juried

Instagram: @ginapalmerillustrations

Email: ginapalmerillustrations@gmail.com

Website: ginapalmerillustrations.com