Orbit Series #3
Orbit Series #3
12 x 16"Acrylic, ink, white gel pen, carbon and colored pencil
on 100% rag Arches Watercolor paper
I was all set to start a new painting on canvas when Dave suggested that I work smaller, not larger. Wha? We have three small 5x5" framed fabric collages in the kitchen gallery and looking at those, he thought if I went smaller I would be able to refine my images and gain confidence. Dave is like my baseball coach, and has always used sports metaphors in relation to my artmaking. Sometime this actually helps. Sometimes.
Understanding what he meant, I leapt past that idea and decided that just working on the same good paper, in the same scale that I started these would be beneficial. It turned out to be a great idea. For one thing, these Orbit paintings are painted drawings, with the initial sketch showing through and further defined at the finish.
In addition, the pen work is an important element and needs to be on paper, I think. Pens may not work the same way on canvas. And at this scale all the details are appropriately sized. Any larger and they would be too much.
Now I know these colors are not my usual, but the fact that I used color at all was a tip off that I am ready to move past the black and white structure and back into color. One of Dave's best coaching tips is "Back to the basics." So true. Once again I learned that the drawing is the foundation of the painting, at least in this series.
I find it interesting that I am able so easily to paint in a series, and found it so difficult to create quilts in a series, until recently. A big DUH.
And now for a website that you will love. Rugs! By Meg Little. Website by David Walker.
And if that doesn't do it for you, go to Diedre Adams site and see her painted on fabric quilts. To. Die. For.
Hey Ms Mel,
ReplyDeleteI really love that you are sharing your artistic journey so graphically (no pun intended). Just a quick question: When you compare how you feel about the actual physical piece of artwork, compared to the image on the computer that we all see on the Blogscreen, which do you prefer...or do you like them both equally, but for different reasons?
Thanks for listening and keep up the good work!!!!
Anne in British Columbia Canada where we are actually having snow and ice and freezing rain.
Hey Ms Mel,
ReplyDeleteI really love that you are sharing your artistic journey so graphically (no pun intended). Just a quick question: When you compare how you feel about the actual physical piece of artwork, compared to the image on the computer that we all see on the Blogscreen, which do you prefer...or do you like them both equally, but for different reasons?
Thanks for listening and keep up the good work!!!!
Anne in British Columbia Canada where we are actually having snow and ice and freezing rain.
OOOH! thanks for the link to Diedre Adams work. I am in love with it. I want to be her, if I can't be you! Ha!
ReplyDelete