Tricia O’Brien
Printmaking, Painting, 2-D Multimedia
Artist’s Statement
I consider myself to be an experimental printmaker. I work with found, recyclable materials that might otherwise be thrown out. As I keep my knowledge of the printing processes intact, these recycled materials are my muse. Using paper, plastic, twine, tissue paper, bubble wrap, bicycle inner tubing and more, to express thoughts and feelings, through shapes, color and line in the medium of the Monoprint. As ink itself is thick or thin, each of these items lies differently when run through the press, as well as holding its own quality as it absorbs ink, structurally holds up, or breaks down during the print process. My process often entails inking individual pieces of materials and then adding them to a plexi-plate or simply laying them on print or watercolor paper, creating a one of a kind or mirror image. Each day spent in the print room brings a combination of thoughtful presence, trial and error, and happenstance, that all have a play in my work conveying an organic, almost poetic feel to my artwork.
The Interview:
Tricia O’Brien, April 2026
Q: Tell us about your journey to California and Sonoma
TOB: Growing up in Michigan, the youngest of eight siblings, I visited San Francisco for 5 weeks at age 15 in 1978. It changed my life. With the exposure to the food, art and culture of the city, I came back with a broader view of the world, and hope for a future. Another influence on me was one of my brothers, who was attending the U of Michigan Art School. It was a wide-open campus where the art rooms were open 24/7 and the students were allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors anytime of day or night! Although having planned to major in English, I found myself drawn to fine arts. I ended up working in catering for over 25 years, and it became my creative outlet.
Q: What inspired the choice of your medium in the art world?
TOB: Starting at San Francisco State in the textile department taught me different dying techniques, like shibori, as well as weaving. To this day I still take a textile approach to my artwork. Next, I attended Cal State Hayward, where I focused on printmaking and learned numerous techniques. I found myself fascinated with the use of very messy ink and chemicals, then preserving the pristine paper, often this not knowing what your work will look like after going through the press is what drives printmakers.
Q: Can you share some of the highlights of your artistic career?
TOB: Our family moved to Sonoma in 2009. In 2021 I took a class in printmaking at the Sonoma Community Center and became reacquainted with Printmaking. Following the class I was asked to teach a class in monoprinting, which to this day has strengthened my own practice by sharing this knowledge with students.
Q: Were you more influenced by your art school studies, or the benefits of additional life experience?
TOB: I’d like to say art school but it did not teach techniques. Honestly, I am mostly self-taught. Plus, the business side of art was never taught in all my years of taking art classes in Universities. Most artists are left to fend for themselves.
Q: You have a busy life. How do you find time to be an artist?
TOB: I try not to think about time in my art studio and find that making time for play in everyday life is severely lacking. The openness to the concept of play leads me to discovery and openness in my work. In other words, if I show up, I will make art.
Q: Can you describe a bit of your work methodology?
TOB: Often color is the inspiring and driving force of my artwork. It can inspire me to compile imagery and the idea flows from there. I let the art tell me what the next step should be, then try to execute from there.
You can find Tricia’s art on her website
Read Tricia’s Bio