Artwork copyright Nance Bracken. Photo courtesy of Washington State Arts Commission.

Bagged Landscape #5, 1977

Nance Bracken
(American, born 1946, died 2021)

Location: Washington State Arts Commission, Olympia

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Bagged Landscape #5 is part of a body of prints by artist Nance Bracken. The composition celebrates nature while also commenting on littering and the impact we have on the environment. Look closely at the imagery and you will see small colorful scenes in each of the floating plastic bags. She based the prints on sketches made during a driving adventure. She recorded everything she saw along her journey. She then edited and reworked the sketches into trial printmaking proofs. She completed the prints inside her little red studio-garage, just south of Ellensburg, in Central Washington.

To learn more about this artwork and Bracken's printing process, click on the linked pamphlet under "Lesson Plans and Documents".

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Sedro-Woolley School District.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Nance Bracken (1946-2021) was an Ellensburg, Washington-based artist focused on painting, drawing, and printmaking. Her work portrays intricate natural landscapes and a lifelong love of observing the natural world.

Bracken earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (1970) from Washington State University in Pullman, Eastern Washington, a Master of Arts degree (1974) in drawing from Central Washington University in Ellensburg and a Master of Fine Arts degree (1987) in painting and printmaking at Washington State University.