Thursday, April 14, 2016

New Work: Left Field

Left Field
11" x 14" painted collage

The thing I like best about painting is also the thing that is the hardest for me to tolerate: uncertainty. Uncertainty brings surprises. Surprises can be good or bad. It's this not knowing which will show up, the good or bad, that creates a kind of tension. The tension is physical for the painter as well as descriptive of what happens on the paper or canvas. Being in this state though is where some really wonderful things can happen. Things that make you say, "Gee I would have never thought to do that but look how well it works!" It's this sort of stuff, this tension between knowing and not knowing, that keeps me motivated when painting; this unexpectedness that results in something new and wonderful. 

It's hard to remember this though when starting a new piece. It is for me at least. I tend to come up empty in the confidence department and have to remind myself that in the past, I have done some work that makes me happy. It's a fair bet I can do it again. I also have to accept that I might fail and that failing is just fine too. It's only paper and paint and some time. I don't want to not try. I have the luxury of time and materials right? Why wouldn't I apply that?

The above piece was started with the vaguest of ideas. I have a piece of china that is the same pattern as my mom's china: 

This pattern is called Blue Danube by Royal Doulton. I have always liked it a lot and remember my mom using it during the holidays. The blue and white is so crisp. I originally wanted to combine that crispness of contrast with a kind of totem structure made up of different shapes. Building something and being able to balance the structure visually is of interest to me. I started in with a few shapes and quickly abandoned my idea! I felt I wanted additional colors and to try an allover kind of design instead. Once I headed in that direction I started to be happier. For a long while though I didn't have any ideas in my mind about the piece itself. Telling myself a little story about the shapes while I work is always helpful. It wasn't until about halfway through that I began to see baseball related images. Seeing those images and ideas helped me to keep going and to finish. 

Now, the piece isn't really about anything specific, I admit that. But to me, there is a freshness to things that somehow is tied to the beginning of baseball season. (I don't even watch baseball but Rich does. I like to think I can appreciate the history and lore of the game, however.) The guys play 162 games, give or take, so to me that is an endurance sport. By the end of the summer I can't imagine how they aren't worn out and worn down. Come Spring though, it's a different matter. Spring means renewal and beginnings and a fresh way of seeing things. The colors in this last piece remind me of that so that is my story and I am sticking to it!

Hope everyone is having a good week. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby

13 comments:

  1. This is a great reminder that often times when we least expect it, things turn out alright even when we don't have a clear concept to start with. A spark, yes, like the clear crisp design of the china pattern and some appealing colors. To have this evolve as you worked, and honoring your "feeling happier" thoughts, is affirmation that uncertainty is okay when you stick with it. Congratulations on your "home run!"

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    1. Carol,

      Thank you so much for the thoughtful comments. Having some amount of faith seems critical doesn't it? I try to remember this as I am working which is not always easy to do. Sometimes I sort of lie down on the studio floor and think about things. This seems to help me re focus. Then I can get back up and re start things. It's like you wrote above, sticking with what you are doing while still being uncertain may very well be the key!

      Thank you again. Hope all is well.
      Libby

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  2. Carol (above) said it very well! Well put!

    There is something about blue and white that is crisp and refreshing. I used to have a love affair with the Blue Willow pattern, and collected several pieces. It looked so fresh and went with every decor! i loved it.

    Love the baseball references! I love to watch it and have since I was a child. I see several clever references in this art to the base pad layout, players, balls and bats, etc! What fun!!

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    1. Carol,

      Isn't the blue and white combination classic? I have a few Blue willow plates too. And years ago I collected blue and white china made in what was then the U.S.S.R. The bottoms of the cups and saucers are stamped with this now defunct designation making the pieces fun to own.

      Uncertainty has become a large part of the picture, particularly with the last 5-6 pieces. It's nerve wracking and requires that I just suck it up and get started and then that I keep going. I feel though like I have been rewarded so there must be something about the process that is working. Keep going right? Either that or sit down and watch a ball game instead:)

      Take care and thanks for the visit and comments.
      Libby

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  3. Hi Libby- everyone has already said it all and I agree.
    Obviously I would love the Blue Danube pattern and my daughter has a lamp base by RD passed on from my mother. So this is an extra nice post for me to see.
    I was teaching about "pattern" in painting today and it occurs to me this one particularly fits the bill.
    It is a beautifully arranged use of space and color.
    I am curious - do you ever use the words Collage or Assemblage along with Painting? Am I missing out on the technique you are using? Is the whole design painted on the support after deciding on your placement by using papers you have painted and cut out in the shapes? Or are you mixing both?
    I really enjoy seeing your wonderful pieces, but admit to being a bit confused on how you achieve some of them.

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    1. Julie,

      Sorry! That is entirely my fault on the confusion of the technique. The papers are painted with acrylic paint and matte varnish. The shapes are then cut and glued onto the substrate. There is no direct painting involved at all. There is only painting on the paper prior to cutting out the shapes. You are very right-I will just start calling them collages which is the best description. I really want the process to be as clear as possible on the off chance that someone reading could try it if they wanted to.

      Use of patterning is really difficult I think. Once you start to manipulate it though, even in the smallest sense, it becomes a powerful design tool. The concept is hard to grasp though and for me, I have a difficult time recognizing patterns to begin with. You need to put you classes in a podcast! LOL:)

      My mom appreciated fine china and passed that appreciation on to me. Many of those forms (cups, teapots, etc.) are so beautiful, so delicate and decorated in the most wonderful ways. A wonderful form of art.

      Thank you as always for your observations and visits. Sorry about the confusion on the terms.

      Libby

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    2. You are so nice to take the time and make your process clear for me. Thank you.
      I thought I knew, but your use of the word "painting" in this post made me unsure.
      You make wonderful art.


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    3. Thanks for your help, Julie. That was definitely insight that I didn't realize that I needed. I have made some changes to my site and some smaller changes to the blog. I am still thinking about the blog and what I can do though. Just takes some thinking:0

      Thanks again!
      Libby

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  5. I simply adore the fact that your abstract piece started with your mom's china. And then baseball came in? Love it!!! This IS very fun and playful...and happy!!

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    1. Thanks Lisa! It's a goofy story right? But it is how it goes.
      Glad that you thought the piece was fun. That feedbackbhelps slot.

      Take care and thank you for your visit.
      Libby

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  6. Amazing Libby that your mother's China started this whole wonderful piece. Then to put it together with the thought of baseball season. It is a super work Libby. Know one would think you were uncertain. The different shades of blue lend a feeling of peace and balance. Super friend. Hugs!

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    1. Debbie,

      I have been traveling and your email reply got away from me. I am sorry!

      It is strange what happens when several unrelated ideas come together. Just goes to show that you never know what is going to prompt your artwork!

      I hope you are doing well and that you have had a good week. Thank you as always for your visit and kind words:)
      Libby

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Thank you for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it! I reply back in an email if you are signed in and I can see your address. Otherwise I will post the reply here under your comment. I tend to cut and paste my emails too so that others can experience the back and forth which I think is integral to blogging.
Libby