The Washington Printmakers Gallery is now hosting its sixth annual Invitational exhibit titled Multiple Perspectives, showcasing Aline Feldman. The small collection of prints by Feldman, are bright, bold and vibrant. Multiple Perspectives gives a glimpse of her recognizable style and landscapes.

Feldman produces rich colors by painting in watercolor on her woodblocks, one of many steps in a very labor intensive process. She utilizes traditional Japanese woodcarving tools to carve out her designs onto large woodblocks. The resulting white lines in the print outline every facet of her compositions, giving her style weight. All of her work is grounded and earthy.

Texture plays a large role in her finished works. Shadows are created by a process of “over printing,” where a swatch is printed on twice or more to produce a shading effect, giving more depth to her landscapes. Knots and imperfections in the woodblock show on the printed paper, adding another dimension to her work.

While each print has a similar style and feel, all seem unique. It is especially evident when Feldman adds another layer of finishing details with pastel. These are her most compelling works and really stand out from the harder lines and more pronounced geometric shapes found in the other prints. In Snow Lace (pictured) the wisps of snow are drawn with pastel. The effect gives the feeling of a blustery snow storm in the city.

Found among the collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum as well as the National Museum of Women in the Arts, Feldman’s large prints derive mainly from nature. Feldman said that "nature has always been my jumping off point." It is a continuous theme in her work. She explores city and countryside views and their juxtaposition. In Paradox of Place I, a city is flanked by forests and rivers and in Paradox of Place II, a rolling country side is stifled by asphalt and buildings.

Snow Lace, copyright Aline Feldman, courtesy of Washington Printmakers Gallery.

Multiple Perspectives is on view now through January 27, 2008. The Washington Printmakers Gallery is located at 1732 Connecticut Ave NW. The Gallery is open Tuesday through Thursday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Friday 12 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.