Saturday, July 9, 2016

New Work: Essential Elements

Essential Elements
collage
image size 15" x 18" approx
A couple of weeks ago I made a practice collage using leftover bits and pieces from previously finished work. It's like working a puzzle only without having the picture on the box top as a guide. I felt there was enough of an idea in the practice collage to try and make a finished piece.

What really got me going though was the funny blue circle shape that I made. To me, it looks like an omega symbol. That got me started thinking about the line from the bible, "I am the beginning and the end...I am the alpha and the omega..." The quote isn't written verbatim and there are many instances of it appearing in biblical literature. Judaism is my chosen religion and so I thought about the essential statement of Jewish belief, the Shema. I then began thinking about proclamations (made by an angel or person), God's creatures, and the Garden of Eden (snakes and apples). I am a literal person, what can I say, and so it's easy to see what happened here. I'd point out too that in the left hand corner I finally was able to include two Hebrew letters, Aleph and Tav. They also have biblical meaning that is varied and mystical and controversial. I guess that I love stories but not controversy or arguing. I like the idea of a mash up of ideas, if that makes sense, and I like to think that my mash up approach is egalitarian in nature. And in the end I really love my little design and had a good time making it. That's all I actually care about.

So, I sure hope everyone had a good week. I am on to some other things (hopefully). Maybe another practice collage? we'll see!
Libby

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6 comments:

  1. Deborah NolanJuly 11, 2016 at 9:56 AM

    Dear Libby you are using that favorite color scheme I love. As my eyes drift around this piece AM jumped out and in keeping with biblical thoughts of God calling himself I Am when he told Moses to go to Pharaoh and tell him I Am sent me. Great piece Libby. As always such interesting work. Hope you are having a super day. Hugs

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    1. Libby FifeJuly 12, 2016 at 6:55 AM

      Thanks Debbie! That orange and blue color scheme is certainly my favorite right now. And I never thought that i would use the Bible as a reference but I did! And I like that the piece isn't religious, if that makes sense. So, some ideas for the future.

      Hope you are well. Thank you as always for your visit.
      Libby

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  2. Pam HugginsJuly 11, 2016 at 4:03 PM

    I really love this Libby. And I enjoy you sharing yourself with us, your readers and fans.
    Your colors and compositions are stunning, as usual, and I like how you infuse meaning. That takes this piece to another level.
    Love it!!!

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    1. Libby FifeJuly 12, 2016 at 6:57 AM

      Thanks Pam! Lots of nice compliments. I keep trying to learn about composition. each piece shows me something (or I end up relearning something) so I guess you just have to keep at it:)

      Hope you are well. Thank you for your visit!
      Libby

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  3. UnknownJuly 12, 2016 at 5:21 PM

    I really enjoyed reading about the genesis of this piece (no pun intended). Good "mash up"! I'm of the school that whatever moves the piece forward in a satisfying way is good news. I never would have guessed the symbolism, but that is also another reason I love abstract work. the viewer brings their own life to it.

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    1. Libby FifeJuly 13, 2016 at 1:45 PM

      Carol,

      Good pun! Yes, so my goal is always twofold. get my ideas into the piece and then have the viewer get their own interpretation. So long as the design feels solid to me I am OK!

      Thanks for the visit, comments, and pun!
      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

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