Fibermania

Depth Perception

Depth Perception

Acrylic and collage

22x40"

I am feeling so relieved! That is a strange feeling to have when finishing a painting. But it has been so long this time to get into the groove of it all. This canvas was a false start that I agonized over for two days and then ignored it for two weeks. It didn't improve in my absence so I just gessoed over the whole thing and started fresh.

I collaged on some squares of paper towel and some strips of rice paper and added some heavy gel and let it all dry. Then I chose colors that are familiar in our house, lavender, lime and aqua, and proceeded to paint the canvas like it was a cabinet or any old piece of furniture.

While it was still wet, I laid some plastic wrap onto the surface and let it sit for a minute and then peeled it up. I learned this technique from several artist's magazines and painting books.

It develops a pattern which can be a trigger for compositional ideas. Hopefully.

Then I looked for areas to emphasize and blocked in darks and lights.

Today, day two, I flooded areas with glazes and added details, eliminating hesitant parts.

I forgot to eat breakfast and thought I was done with the thing by 2pm. I called Dave in for a look and he was silent for an interminably long time.

Then he asked me to tell him about the painting.

Wow! An art professor couldn't have approached me any better. I explained that I had no preconceived ideas and just let the paint tell me what to do. The thing developed as I painted it.

He was reticent to express an opinion other than to point out an area that seemed unfinished. I agreed that it was unlike the rest of the composition and I would address it after I ate something.

I ended up repainting the entire central lower half because of his comment and it is a great improvement. I am going to be dependent on his responses now. O my!

When it comes to a title, I have several which I rejected. I hate to be specific and restrict the viewer's chance at interpretation. Since I had no plan for this image, and what it became, I hardly feel protective of its meaning. Non-representational art is so much more than a picture of a thing, which is what I love about it. You would look at this piece differently than I do and bring your own responses and experiences to the viewing. I want to keep that door open.

It took guts for me to paint this. I can't explain all the pangs of fear involved. Wasting the canvas was the big spur to make me try again. That, and the need to get closer to the invisible unknowable goal I want to reach.