Tricia O’Brien
Sunday, February 22, 2026
11:00 am – 4:00 pm
$135 non-member/$120 member
$20 material fee paid directly to the instructor
Location: Arts Benicia Annex, 991 Tyler Street, Suite 116, Benicia
Levels: All
Age minimum: 18
Minimum 6 | Maximum 8
Class Description: In this class, we will use the idea of experimenting, and using drawing, tracing, stencil, and the printing presses available to us at the Benicia Arts Annex to create abstract images using recycled materials. These found materials create all kinds of markings, shapes, and images – as they make their way through the press. Stencils create openings for more texture, shapes, and imagery to create layered pieces through multiple runs through the press. When peeling back the paper for the look, it is the surprise element that keeps me coming back to this process. This process also works well with other printmaking processes. Using materials like Tyvek that can be traced or cut into shapes and images, we can layer these elements onto the plate or paper and then put them through the press over and over again, creating repeat images. While creating interesting, artful images that are so intriguing, they might even be considered poetic.
Essentials: Bring a lunch or snack. Feel free to take a break when needed. Restrooms are out back and across the street in the building with the red door. Please bring your own water at all times.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR
Tricia O’Brien was born in Michigan and moved to San Francisco for college in 1981. She studied textiles at SF State with Candice Crockett, then later finished her BFA in Painting, Drawing, and Printmaking at Cal State Hayward in 2001. At Hayward, she was introduced to printmaker Jimin Lee and was inspired by the many facets of printmaking. She earned a juried Award for Excellence in the 3-dimensional work of Xerox Photo Transfer for a hand-crafted book. In 2021, after retiring from the food & wine industry, she reignited her relationship with printmaking. Her unique, one-of-a-kind Monoprints are made using recyclable materials: plastic bags, string, cardboard, tissue paper and other packing materials, as well as rubber inner tubes from bicycle tires. All of these items are either inked or arranged on a plate and put through the printing press. Some of her work involves drawing, watercolor or acrylic and pen and ink directly onto printed monoprints. She is interested in the play and surprise of the abstract, organic images and markings that occur by these discarded materials as they intersect with the structure of the printing press and traditional applications of registration, and clean edges.
Tricia has been greatly influenced by both the California Impressionists and Bay Area Figurative movements, as well as Wayne Thibaud and Richard Diebenkorn’s use of color. There are many artists that inspire her, including: Kiki Smith, Inez Storer, Raymond Saunders, Georgia O’Keefe, Richard Serra, Christopher Brown, Helen Frankenthaler, Li Lin Lee, Nathan Oliveira and more, along with a recent find, contemporary Australian artist, Belinda Fox.
Tricia O’Brien teaches printmaking at the Sonoma Community Center in Sonoma, as well as at the Benicia Arts Center Annex and Adult Education at Diablo Valley College. She is a member of the Sonoma Arts Guild and lives in Sonoma with her husband Glen.
Instructor website: TriciaOBrienArt.com
Instructor email: tobcaters@gmail.com