Artwork copyright Paul Harcharik. Photo courtesy of the artist.

Retree I, 1995

Paul Harcharik
American (born 1947)

Location: Marysville-Pilchuck High School, Marysville

About the Artwork

Retree I is a monotype print created by artist Paul Harcharik. It is part of a body of work that investigates man's impact on nature. Harcharik notes, "I discovered the idea for Retree I from the simple act of unloading cut rounds of wood used for extra weight in the back of my truck to help with traction during winter. As I was unloading and stacking the rounds the following spring, I noticed the sculptural quality of the resulting column of forms." Monotypes are unique prints created by painting with inks directly onto the printing plate. Only one print can be made from the plate. Harcharik created the rich detail and texture in this piece by manipulating the inked plate using ear swabs, brushes, and his fingertips. He also added hand coloring.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Marysville School District.

About the Artist

Paul Harcharik creates figurative landscape and still life paintings, drawings, and prints. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina and Master of Fine Arts degree from Pennsylvania State University in 1975. Harcharik made his home on the Olympic Peninsula near Sequim, Washington in the 1990s. He now resides in North Carolina.