Matter and no matter

I have seen similar etchings by Tony Mafia, etchings probably done early seventies in LA. He would moisten the etching paper and imprint the forms he needed to complete the etching on the plates, thus combining figurative art and abstract art. I always liked that technique. These etchings too can be acquired through:


Jeannie Ott, located in Las Vegas
jott777@cox.net
702-450-3288
I hope all the work finds a loving home.

Antwerp Jews

These two etchings are from Antwerp when Tony Mafia lived in the Korte Herentalse straat in the Jewish quarter, in 1969, leaving Antwerp with his then wife Anna and their two children half of January. Tony Mafia was fascinated by the different appearances. I seem to remember there were four different etchings in all. I saw the smallest one, not included here, being priced at $ 125 in 1979 in his Gallery in Los Angeles. Sorry I forgot the name of the Gallery.
If you're interested contact: jott777@cox.net
702-450-3288
She is located in Las Vegas

Lovers in landscape

Lover in a landscape with a view on the horizon. there in the distance there seem rest and peace and the mystery on not knowing what is. Note the whimsical loose tree and the barely suggested figures. this etching is probably from the early seventies, done on the press Doug Lyons and some other friends bought for Tony. I know of three presses having been bought for Tony. The two other ones were bought in Belgium.

Double portrait ten years laters

TOOLS OF SOLACE


Pen pallet pencil
with tools life is lived
and then the red
touched with the smallest
brush
minutes till sudden death

for the colors
gray for the polder sky
for doves up high titanium white
viridian green for trees and woods
alizarin, crimson, rose madder
for lust, blush, desire, burning fire
Naples’ yellow
for a sweater painted twice
and blue
for the hue of soul
Sienna, umber, burned earth
for desert and for sand

and for
the smell of paint &
turpentine
I was ablaze

so it is that
with scorched hand
I write -

My poem from ' Black Sun': Gedichten voor Tony Mafia / Poems for Tony Mafia (boek): 10 poets whom I thank!

Here you can read and order:

The painting obviously is a double portrait, painted not too long before May 10, 1999. It speaks of the importance of art and caring. Tony you are remembered and missed. Lets celebrate life!

Swinging

This etching was a study for a sculpting Tony did or wanted to do a long time ago. He spoke about it as the whole sculpting resting on the girls right leg balancing in a lawn. I don't know whether it was realized in Tony's mind's eye or for the art lover who happened to fancy his work.

Hospitals

Some of you know Tony had a bad heart. He had his first heart operation in 1979. In the eighties he was often in and out the VA hospitals. He drew what he saw and some impressions became etchings on a press DL bought together while others became silkscreens. I have seen only some of the hospitals because I only started sharing his life on a daily basis in 1991. He caught the atmosphere, the fear and sometimes the kindness of nurses or doctors. And yes finally his heart and lungs gave out, gave up.

The Kiss

The Kiss is an etching. At least three times Tony had people buy a good large etching press for him. They would be rewarded by a series of etchings. It happened in the US, at least once and Doug Lyons still has some the etchings from that period. This etching stems from 1984 in Belgium when a group of friends without a lot of money, also pinched in and got him the press. This is from the vet's series. When he left, he also left the press and it went to another starving artist... The last press he had went to an activity center for people with incurable diseases but who are fit enough to express themselves in an artistic way.