#117 EVA ISAKSEN
Known for her bold color, intuitive mark-making, and richly layered surfaces, artist Eva Isaksen weaves her own prints and drawings into dynamic collage-based paintings that feel both expressive and deeply alive. Join Marji in conversation with Eva as they explore trusting instinct, working through doubt, and embracing risk as a path to stronger, more authentic work. A generous and energizing conversation you won’t want to miss.
Jump to a section:
Click the chapter icon (the bulleted list inside the video player) to see and select any part of the video.
Chapters and timestamps are also listed below for quick reference.
Click here to download the transcript
*Please note that guest presenters are not necessarily Academy members available for commenting.
You May Also Like:
What a fascinating process and beautiful, unique work. Just love the line work and line quality; then some of the close-ups show such beautiful colors and color combinations. Great insights into looking at her work small with iPhone and turning her work around to look at them later.Insightful interview and beautiful videography. The camera loves the work; showed both great detail and larger body of work.
absolutely fascinating.. really enjoyed seeing her process and her work, particularly like the series that were behind you both.. wonderful!
Thank you for this inspiring interview. I love collaging with painted papers, but the way Eva does it is so new and fresh. The drawings, especially, add interest and complexity. Makes me want to try a little abstract drawing.
Love the interview Marji! I was so excited to know you were going to interview Eva. I went to see her work at the Nordic museum about 5 times, and I am excited to know she will be showing at Foster/White – “Drawn to Line, a collection of new works by Eva Isaksen. At the heart of Isaksen’s practice is a belief in art as an evolving process that mirrors the cycles of nature. May 2 – 23, 2026
Opening Reception First Thursday, May 7, 6 – 8 pm
Artist in Attendance
Artist Talk, Saturday, May 9, 1 pm” I am hoping to go to the Artist Talk.
Hi Nancy. Eva uses a process called Trace Monotype printing for her line drawings. She uses a very delicate paper that she once was able to source in Nepal. I think a silk tissue paper would give similar results and there are many handmade delicate papers that would work also. For the Trace monotype, she uses oil based black ink that she applies on a plexiglass plate. She then carefully lays the paper on top and draws from above on the backside of the paper using various tools. A skewer works great. She creates the drawings then carefully lifts the paper and it transfers the ink to the paper where there was pressure. You can google the process and find some great tutorials on YouTube.
Thanks Marji, I just watched it again and understand your reply now. I will try some delicate paper, silk tissue I have seen in art suppliers. I went ahead right after the interview to try on tissue paper with a micron pen drawing directly on it and found that interesting….but am super curious to try her method. Thanks so much for your help and inspiration with trees in YOUR work!
This has been so inspiring in the way that Eva has incorporated printmaking, drawing and collage into her art making. I throughly enjoyed this interview. Thank you Eva and Marji.
Beautiful, thoughtful and inspirational presentation Marji. Eva Isaksen is a fabulous new-to-me artist extraordinaire! The line work, painted paper and wonderful ideas shared are definitely great shares. Marji’s ebullient smile was a genuine delight. The feelings shared were expansive. Thank you to all involved.
I, too, have questions about her fine line drawings. I get how she does the ones with black lines by starting with a full layer of printing ink, then paper on top and carefully drawing from the ‘backside’ of the paper to pick up the ink. I’m curious how she does similar work but the lines are white and the background is fairly solid black. Thanks Marji — great interview.
Hi Linda, Great question. After she completes the trace monotype (the process she uses for her line drawings) she runs the plate through the press with white paper on top. The black background comes from the ink that remains on the plate, and the white lines are where her drawings lifted the ink away—so what you’re seeing there is the white of the paper itself showing through the negative spaces on the inked plate.
Thanks Marji for the explanation. Makes complete sense plus supports Eva’s approach of using everything.
Incredibly inspiring and beautiful interview #Marji! I can see how I can pull so many of my loves in art together like this, my collage papers I make, my line drawings of designs in nature inspired by my walks in the forest, gardening and botanical drawings…photographs and painting! I’m wondering about her fine line drawings ~ what kind of paper are they drawn on that comes out so translucent and transparent and the ink or pens used because I love the way they bleed ever so slightly and create an organic feel to them, any clues? You asked wonderful questions and I’ll be looking at this over and over again, as well as your own coaching!!! Trees are my thing too…
Hi Nancy, I replied to you but it went in as a stand alone comment. Sorry about that. Maybe you can check above for the answer.
thanks Marji, I FOUND IT !
Loved this interview. I love how she uses the shapes in her garden and her process is so unique. I was very inspired. Eva was so calming to listen to as well. I always enjoy your interviews Marji!