4 in an edition of 100. Signed and dated in pencil lower right: "Norris 1976"; titled and numbered along the lower left margin of the short side of sheet: "Soft X 4/100". A fine impression in fine condition with full margins (sheet: 22 1/4 x 30 inches). "Soft X" and its counterpart, "X, Strong Version," both in editions of 100, were printed in 1976 at the suggestion of Ben Norris's art consultant at the time, Calvin Goodman. They were inspired by the "X" Painting Series which had been recently successful for Norris. Once printed, they were stored and never offered to the market.
Inscribed in the artist's studio notes concerning "X, Strong Version" and "Soft X": "On hand made, heavyweight Arches paper 22 ¼ x 30. Color prints of the X paintings were recommended by Calvin Goodman, my "art management consultant" for most of 1976. Screens prepared in Honolulu largely by Bruce Grasmeyer, who hand-carried the paper for the edition from Los Angeles on his return from a short trip. Printing by Honolulu Sign Co. (4 colors: red, yellow, pink, lt. blue). Intention was that Marcia Morse would do the final plate in litho in her new atelier. At last minute she decided she could not do it. So I carried the unfinished editions to San Francisco and eventually located the silk screen shop "Carlos Brothers". There I prepared the (single) final screen which was used to complete both editions - the "soft "version had to be printed twice."
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