A Calm Urban Monotype: Finding Peace in a Chaotic City

Sometimes, a piece of art begins with a feeling you can’t quite describe. You simply start working with the materials, hoping the final image will hold the emotion for you. This calm urban monotype was born from such a feeling: that sense of being a part of a vibrant, powerful world, yet holding your own space within it.

A contemplative figure with voluminous hair standing against a textured backdrop of abstract and earthy tones.

I have always been drawn to the unpredictable nature of printmaking, and monotype in particular. Unlike other mediums, you have to let go and simply trust the process, allowing the final image to emerge under the pressure of the press. There’s a certain magic in this act, in applying black and yellow ink to a plate and trusting that the final pull will reveal something true. For this piece, I was especially interested in how the softer textures of the figure's hair would emerge, creating a beautiful contrast against the hard, straight lines of a city in the background. It is a great example of how the medium can bring a feeling to life.

This feeling, which I have been exploring a lot lately, is about finding one's own calm when you’re in a loud, busy city. We are all familiar with the feeling of the urban world: the constant noise, the rushing energy, the endless motion. It is a world of beautiful, dynamic chaos, and it is a world we all must navigate. But even within the intensity of that environment, there is a place for stillness.

Holding a monotype artwork rendered with expressive brushstrokes in black, white, and yellow tones.

That is what I wanted to convey with this monotype. The image is a deliberate play on contrasts, a softness against the city's hard lines. I love how the unpredictable nature of the printmaking process itself allowed for both a sense of chaos and a sense of grace to exist side by side. The final piece is not just about the city, but about the individual within it. It is an image of a person focused entirely on their own space, holding a personal calm that cannot be shaken by the urban world around them.

The woman in the image is not overwhelmed by the urban environment; she is a point of stillness within it. Her focus is internal, and it shows that true stability is not found in a lack of chaos, but in the ability to find your own center within it. She is a part of the vibrant world behind her, but she is not defined by its noise or its pace. The black ink of the buildings provides a grounding and powerful foundation, while the bold yellow of the figure creates an anchor of inner light.

I look at this piece and it reminds me that to truly find yourself, you must be willing to navigate. The world won't slow down for you, but you have the power to create your own peaceful space within it. This is a form of courage. The path to a meaningful life isn't about escaping the hustle, but about being present within it without being phased by it. The act of creating this piece was a reminder that you can build that bravery one step at a time, finding your own peace in the middle of it all.

Work In Progress Process Photos