“Thich Quang Duc, The Burning Monk.” 5 color monotype print on 11×14 inch Arnhem 1618 printmaking paper. Detail from the famous photo by Malcolm Brown. The endless knot symbol bottom-center represents the endless cycle of birth, death, rebirth with wisdom and compassion within Tibetan Buddhism.
Monotypes are basically single prints made by applying and removing ink on glass and then pressing the paper onto the image. Pressing can be done with a roller (etching) press or by hand. Multiple applications of ink or impressions may be made to achieve multiple colors, tonal or textural qualities, but you only get one. One shot. One print. One single image. Sort of like life, right?