Sunday, November 05, 2006

Desperate or Resourceful?
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Sunday, 6:30am. 31 degrees.
I grabbed my laptop and headed out to Panera for coffee and a free internet connection. I found out yesterday that it will be Wednesday before I can blog again at home. I have to wait for ATT to send me the new modem/dsl line on Tuesday and then service will be activated the following day. There are ways to accomodate my need to email and blog, and I am willing, or nutso enough to do this.

Telluride
10x15"
Acrylic, Prismacolor Pencils, inks and brush pens


OK I have never been to Telluride, it just seemed like a good name. And these mountain peaks appeared, so I went with the concept. The pink shape above looks kinda like an adobe building, so the Southwest firmly cemented itself in my mind. Why not? There is nothing else taking up the space.

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Sometime yesterday my imagination locked onto the idea of brush pens and since the coupon was still usable off I went...Half price on both of these items. One reader, Tashina, suggested this more expensive (than student quality) version of the red which I so dearly wanted to be opaque and lucky me, it was available. The brush pens are permanent india ink versions and I am delighted to use them in my work. The line work is so enticing to do. Details that take over and finish the compositions for me.

In one of my garage stored Rubbermaid boxes I found some Rotring pens which had been sitting clogged with ink for centuries and after I soaked them for the better part of the day I was able to refill them with new inks and use them for the broader line work.

This grid is from drywall repairing material. I found it in our house painting Rubbermaid bin. At 5:30 am I was out in the garage digging around for it, waking Dave whose room is on the same wall. Oops. Anyway, the grid comes on a roll and is sticky backed. Woowoo! I cut up a piece, stuck it on the paper and flooded the paint over it. When it dried it left this cool impression. I used teeny rubberbands too, to make circle haloes. Yup. I am having a good time.
I seem to have gotten lost in the details and when I look at these paintings all together on my wall I can see (on the positive side) that there is a thread of a series here, and (on the negative side) there is toooo much going on in each piece. RESTRAINT is called for. Bigger areas of undisturbed color. Less is more. I'll give that a try today.
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LizzieB asked if I have show plans for these, which is a nice thought but no, I don't. In fact, if you want to know the truth, I am thinking of maybe framing one someday. (I have a coupon!) Which is way short of showing them in a gallery isn't it?
For the time being I am just having a good time making something out of nothing.
In the studio there are six pieces of watercolor paper, in 24x30" sheets just waiting for paint. The details that are posted from the last four paintings seem a lot more interesting and simpler than any of the full sized paintings posted. I am planning to select some areas for enlargement and will see if that helps me get past this kitchen sink direction that I have taken. Stay tuned.




3 comments:

  1. I'm noticing detail that resembles printed fabric. Perhaps the solid colors aren't doing it for you right now?

    I check in everyday to see what you have created overnight. Keep going. I think the journey will be worthwhile.

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  2. ohhh I want some of those faber castell pens~!!!! I wonder how they would work with fabric. its ink right? I really like the detail shot above the ink pens. that has more open spaces to rest on. The blue circle within the red block looks like a moon. telluride moonrise....lol. nice very nice. I am holding myself back from running out to Goods and spending too much money on painterly stuff. way cool Melody. way cool.

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  3. What a joy to see your paintings! I'm so glad you are braving those chilly temps to blog at the coffee shop.
    I also have some ancient petrified Rotoring pens. What did you soak them in, just water? Jen

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Hello,
So nice of you to drop by. I love your comments, and if you would really like a reply, please email me at fibermania at g mail dot com