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| Getting There 15" x 18" collage on paper |
For the past several months I have been recording some things as I have been working. Just observations but I will pass them along. Who knows? Maybe someone reading will get an idea. Here they are:
* comparison of scale: is one piece really larger than another piece? I have trouble seeing this and that trouble shows up with lots of smaller pieces that are basically the same size. I think a landscape painter would have a similar issue. How much bigger is the foreground bush than the background bush? Are all of those potted plants really the same size? The whole problem speaks of proportion and variety.
* connecting values: Even for an artist working abstractly, connecting like values can be a factor. I am finding that if I am not careful, my pieces can look "spotty" and I think this is due in part to lots of different values scattered around the page. There isn't anything wrong with this but for me, it isn't what I want. So, I have been focusing on connecting like units of values to get a larger pattern when seen from a distance. Just backing up from the piece and trying to discern the pattern has been helpful.
* viewing positive and negative space: I have had some great comments lately about what people see in the positive and negative spaces within the work. It tells me that those two spaces have a combined and separate energy level, making the piece active and not static.
* Group shapes together: You could argue both sides of this. One dark valued shape is more powerful maybe than a lighter valued shape. But, my thought is that when you group like sized and like valued shapes together, they act as one unit and carry greater weight. I have certainly seen this in my own work lately and I think it speaks to the concept of weight.
* hue relationships: I found a couple of times now that placing complimentary colors next to each other can be really dynamic-nearly too dynamic in some cases. The other day I minimized that relationship by having one high chroma color of the complimentary pair and one duller color of the pair next to each other. It worked well in my opinion and again, speaks to weight and dominance.
Some thoughts:
During the course of the last couple of months, I have largely abandoned having any set preconceived notions of what these pieces are going to be. Looking for subject matter was causing me great anxiety. It caused me to get hung up on starting. Now, I start with a color scheme idea (loose) and a directional sketch and one simple shape. I may have a design idea I want to explore but I will abandon that if necessary if the piece takes on an interesting direction.
Additionally, for now, I have put aside the idea of an overt and specific narrative. I love the pieces I have done that seem to tell a little story. And I have received great feedback on those pieces. But, just like looking for specific subject matter, having to have a specific narrative stymies me. It's difficult to start. I want to start without being anxious and I want to make lots of work. I can't do that if I am having an existential angst fest every time I begin.
The last thing I would mention is that I have been working in a question and answer style format. It's been very helpful and though I am still developing it, I will pass along what I know. I think any painter could use the idea or modify it in order to problem solve. I start with one thing, say a shape or color. So, one large square medium valued shape of a red orange, low chroma color. Then I ask myself what the next opposite move could be. How about a smaller, dark valued high chroma shape such as a circle or rectangle? Where could I put that? I just keep going in this way, making one move based on the opposite of the last move, all the while trying to connect those moves on the page. I made a list too of different moves and their opposites. The whole thing has expanded my thinking a bit and made the possibility for problem solving a little easier.
OK, that's enough! I hope everyone has had a good week. Please let me know if any of the information above is useful.
Libby
Dear Libby great thoughts regarding how you work. I think this piece is a mix of peace mixed with movement The colors are serene but the white diagonals give a sense of direction for the eye. Also the patches of dark keeps one from leaving the piece. As always I enjoy your sharing and thoughts. Have a great weekend. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteDebbie,
DeleteThank you so much for your observations! When I finished the piece, I thought the colors were subdued but that I also liked the movement provided by the shapes. I was able to see, as you suggested, that it is possible to have a mix of two ideas. So, always learning.
Hope you are doing well. I always appreciate your visits.
Libby
I always enjoy your thoughts on process, and how they direct you. "The movement provided by the shapes..." says it all to me. None of your pieces are static by any means, but the movement is both implied by the shapes and your continual seeking of knowledge. The title is entirely apt!
ReplyDeleteCarol,
DeleteHere is kind of a related thought about shapes. When I was quilting, one of my chief complaints was that the repetition of the blocks was indeed static. Making all the same block was boring to me. Now though, I find myself revisiting the shapes within quilting. Rearranging them in different ways (and utilizing the properties of color) seems to be the key to making movement happen. I didn't see it when I was quilting but I see it now.
Funny how your ideas change over time isn't it? best to listen to what is happening:)
Hope all is well. Thank you for your comments.
Libby
This is a new fav of mine. It combines the strength of a larger mass with great color harmony and interesting overlapping and interlocking angles.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed reading your notes and are saving them to check on my own work because the principles are sound. Thanks for the great post!
Thanks Julie! That's a nice group of compliments.
DeleteThis one was pretty different for me. The larger shapes were something that I really wanted to try. I have been plagued by little bits of paper ever since I started these collages. I want larger pieces initially but then I have to figure out how to make a good, initial statement and how to add simple impact without overdoing things. It's very difficult but in a good way. Learning about design is really challenging for me. I don't know how other people seem to manage it so well. And I don't know if I will ever get to that level. I will just keep at it:)
Thanks for the visit and comments. I appreciate it (particularly because I know about your schedule)!
Libby