Artist of the Month: April 2017 – Dominique Lecomte & Connie Taylor

Biography

Dominique Lecomte spent his early years in Rambervillers, a small town in Les Vosges, France. He studied visual art at Ecole de l’Images in Epinal. After receiving masters’ degrees in French as a foreign language and Philosophy, he came to the United States, by way of Cambodia, to teach at the International School of Boston. He decided to specialize in linocuts and woodcuts, mainly due to lack of proper studio space. Photography, which he had always used as a visual travel log, became the base of his work. His work is held in private collections in Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, Ecuador, England, France, Italy, Japan, Norway, Sweden, and the United States.

Artist Statement

I like the little things of life, the spectacle of nature, the lines and shapes of the world. I use them to create images, to map voyages, to share impressions. It is as simple as that.

Technique used for these prints

Linocuts and woodcuts are original prints in limited and numbered edition, made from a previously cut wood or linoleum block. Once the block is ready, the relief is inked and a thick paper is pressed on it with a hand-pulled press or a wooden spoon. Colors, when present, are watercolors applied later with a brush (details and history of the technique at www.lecomtedominique.com).

Reference Display Case – Taylor’d Eggs

Designs by Connie Taylor

Although egg art includes many forms, from Ukrainian, a dye resist art, to beautifully carved eggs, cutting away the outer shell to expose the membrane, Connie’s passion is Faberge-inspired egg designs. She’s been egging for over thirty years. She travels to PA, OH, and WA, preparing “egg kits” and teaching the design. In America, there is a guild for just about every hobby. She’s now become the President of the New England Egg Art Guild (NEEAG). Their members are from both MA and NH. Their Guild is part of the International Egg Art Guild, with members throughout Europe, Japan, China, Australia, and New Zealand. Seven years ago, Connie started holding classes in her basement in Andover. She named her business, Taylor’d Eggs, which is a perfect moniker as her name is Constance (Connie) Taylor. Eggers purchase their infertile eggs blown out and cleaned. She purchases her eggs from farms in South Carolina and Indiana. She uses ostrich, rhea, emu, quail, and goose eggs. She uses both a Dremel for heavy cutting and an air-powered tool for fine work. The air-powered tool rotates so rapidly, it allows the designer to create fancy cut work without breaking the egg. Remember, eggs aren’t just for breakfast anymore.