Tuesday, October 31, 2006

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.

9 comments:

  1. Oh my! wow. this is really really fine. wanna know what I see? well I will tell you ..lol.. In the center it seems to be a figure with arms holding, clasping. and she - for she seems to be female- is emerging from the dark and glowing with energy ...perception. It is all about perception. and all art speaks differently to each of us doesnt it! a ghostly figure emerging into a new and wonderful light.

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  2. ah... the invisible unknowable goal. How will you know when it has been achieved? Love the paiting ... expecially the mixed media elements and the COLOR.

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  3. I am in love with the texture of this. Depth perception says it all because it looks as if you could fall in to it. And great color.

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  4. Anonymous8:31 AM

    Wonderful. I feel like I could fall into it.

    teri

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  5. I think it's stunning, something you can look at repeatedly and find something different each time. You are a clever lady!

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  6. Anonymous11:32 AM

    If I owned the painting I would hang it on it's side with the purple area at the bottom. It feels more secure that way...not so much a feeling of falling rocks and hidden places.
    CN

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  7. I love this painting - you are so brave to paint without needing some deep & meaningful explanation to justify the art. I want to be like you when I grow up!!!

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  8. This has to be my favourite one yet, I could look at it forever,I would hang this on my wall, not many I say that about :)

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