Printmaking Gallery

Roxane Gilbert: Finding My Voice

About halfway through my first term at San Francisco State University, my expository writing instructor pulled me aside. “You don’t have to come to class anymore,” Marean said. “I’m giving you an A.”

“But I love this class!” I exclaimed.

“Of course I’m happy to have you here.” Marean looked at me as she sipped from her thermos. “Tell me,” she said. “Have you decided on your major?”

“Yes,” I replied. “Art.”

Marean smiled and shook her head. “You’re going to be a writer.”

In my sophomore year, I transferred to California College of the Arts (CCA). Although I took a couple of creative writing classes, I earned my BFA in printmaking. The department chair, Charlie Gill (b.1933), was my advisor and mentor. He realized that the audience for his lectures was comprised of aspiring artists and not scientists, but he never dumbed down the intricacies of the technical aspects of lithography. He patiently repeated the information as often as we needed to hear it, confident in our ability to absorb the lessons as our skill level advanced.

Transcribed from a 1937 photograph by Margaret Bourke-White by Charles Gill — **Transcribed from a 1937 photograph by Margaret Bourke-White, lithograph by Charles Gill**

There are few jobs available to a printmaker, but I found work at a fine arts press in Oakland. That’s where I met Funk artist David Gilhooly (1943-2013), who became my dear friend. One day I confided that of all of my classes at CCA, I most enjoyed ceramics.

“What’s the matter with you?” David cried. “You should have majored in ceramics instead of printmaking!”

**For Roxane, monoprint by David Gilhooly**

Centering pots on the wheel had a meditative component that lowered my stress level, as I juggled a busy schedule and social life. And my teacher, Viola Frey (1933-2004) possessed an unparalleled gift for conveying curiosity and joy. But I never seriously considered throwing pots and mixing glazes to be my primary vehicle for artistic expression.

A few years later, I ran into Marean in Berkeley. I was pleased that she remembered me and surprised when she asked, “Have you written your book yet?”

“No,” I replied.

Her eyes twinkled, as she said, “You will.” Then she turned and walked away.

I’m grateful that David was the rare sort of friend who never hesitated to call me out, if he sensed that I had veered off track. But ultimately, it was Marean who saw the truth about me. And she recognized it long before I did.

An abundance of meandering missteps have punctuated my life, yet the journey has been richer for them. As much as I love printmaking, it was never meant to be my calling. But my time doing it was well spent. In addition to enabling me to hone my eye and direct my creative drive, it provided unique opportunities for me to collaborate with men and women of artistic genius.

—Roxane Gilbert

My lithographs and relief prints are below. If you would like to see my paintings, visit the Gallery at roxanegilbert.com. And if you want to read my novel, A Moon Garden, you can purchase it at Amazon.com!