About
I attended Carnegie-Mellon University and graduated with a major in printmaking and a minor in painting. While there I studied with 20th C. calligraphy pioneer, Arnold Bank, CMU professor and Tamarind Institute, Printer Fellow, Robert Gardner and abstract expressionist painter, Elaine deKooning. After a year of graduate study in Italy and travel throughout the Mediterranean, The Balkans, Greece and London I returned to Temple University’s Tyler School of Art to complete and receive my MFA. I completed post graduate studies at The Center for the Book, University of Iowa; Ransom Humanities Research Center, University of Texas at Austin; and private consultation with Sheila Waters, Fellow, British Scribes and Illuminators.
I have presented two solo exhibitions of my multi-media and calligraphic work; published works in Letter Arts Review and the Calligrapher’s Calendar; written an unpublished monograph on the history of illuminated letterforms; been included in a national book review entitled Contemporary American Printmakers; shown work in various national and regional juried exhibitions and sold work through Midwest galleries and museum shops and online venues, including my website mariwittetch.com
Teaching a wide variety of visual arts curricula I was, for ten years, chairperson of the Printmaking Department at the Indianapolis Art Center. On the faculty at the University of Indianapolis and Herron School of Art I taught classes and workshops in drawing, oil, acrylic, and watercolor painting, calligraphy and printmaking courses in etching, lithography, monotype, and silkscreen. At UI I also taught an introductory art history course for non-art majors and designed and led a team-taught course on the history of women artists.
My work in the visual arts has been diverse and multidisciplinary. I was a founding member of the Indiana printmaking group, INprint and participated in seven of their sponsored exhibitions. I owned and operated a limited edition screen printing studio and an embellished surfaces company specializing in trompe l’oeil murals, faux wood and marble graining, stenciling and gilding. I was a team member and leader of historic restoration projects at the Indiana Statehouse; Marion County, Indiana Central Library; Clay County Courthouse, Indiana; Hamilton County, Indiana Sheriff’s Residence and Jail Restoration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Chesterwood Restoration in Stockbridge, Massachusetts.
As a founding member of a Midwest non-profit arts center I curated 12 special exhibits; successfully ran a Kickstarter drive which funded the archival matting and framing of original etchings gifted to the arts center by a popular children’s book artist; served on the board of directors; and at various times managed the retail galleries, chaired the admissions committee, designed graphics and website content.
Recent Work
Encapsulating the processes of working with images and letterforms. Four watercolor snapshots visualizing the multi-discipline experience of how a calligraphic work of art evolves and the tools, materials, texts, and resources used in this process.
Calligraphy Projects
ABC Timeline
Media: Gouache, archival markers and raised gesso gildings on goatskin vellum
Using the color spectrum as a base, the Timeline illustrates 14 centuries of decorated letters found in European and American manuscripts. The design of each of the 26 letters and one ampersand are based on specific decorated letters found in historic manuscripts and used as exemplars. My goal was to interpret the historic design characteristics of representative letters from each century but to not slavishly reproduce any particular letterform.
Through a generous gift from Herb Tyler, the Timeline is now part of the Culver Academy’s Fine Art Collection in Indiana.
Illuminated Initials
Media: Gouache, 22k Raised Gilding on vellum support
These framed and boxed Illuminated Initials were crafted in the tradition of Medieval scribes and sold on my website and various galleries, museum shops throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Concept, designs (based on historic models), painting, gilding, assembly and distribution of all elements, including vinegar grained frames and boxes were executed by me
Limited Edition Prints
As a founding member of the Indiana-based printmaker group, INprint, I’ve participated in seven of their group shows and print exchanges. Each show had a theme such as INtime or Beginnings and many had an affiliate such as the Indiana Historical Society who sponsored the opening and exhibit and benefited from the sales.
Mississippi Series
After completing the print The Heart of America linoleum cut I decided to expand on this theme and created three small images of landscapes close to my home along the Mississippi River in Northern Iowa. All three are small linoleum cuts.
Miscellaneous Works
Collaborative Projects
Working with my husband, James, we have created a series of toys for children ages 2 - 10. I have collaborated with many people on a variety of projects but these selected works have been the most fulfilling and magical. Collaboration brings new knowledge and understand and these projects have opened unexplored universes for me and hopefully stimulated the imaginations of the children who received these gifts.
