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Sunday, December 6, 2015

New Work: Progress

Progress
12" x 16" acrylic painted papers on wc paper

The title of the piece refers both to the literal progress of a train from one point to another and the actual progress of the state of transportation during the mid to late 1800's. I was very inspired by what I have been learning lately about the development of railroads and rail travel. And I love the time period surrounding the advent of the Industrial Age. I have a real affinity for the 1850's to 1950's or so additionally. Trains, train travel, and film noir were on my mind for this piece.

I have read many times (and been told by professional artists) that limited value black and white studies/pieces are tremendously helpful. I always thought that the studies would help me to tighten up my values (the number that I use) and to not focus on color. While those things are true, I also discovered some other things which might be useful. Here they are:

*Almost right away, the design became critically important. Not having any color meant that everything else came to the forefront: design, shape, line and value contrast.  Perceived "mistakes" really seemed to stand out.

* Not focusing on color actually made things both easier and harder (see above). There was no worrying about chroma or color relationships but there was a lot of fretting about shape, size, repetition and direction. Proportion became key. 

* It became very obvious that balance was something to work on. I can see an overall balance of value (I think) and so that makes me think that I am probably balancing my actual colors OK (since all color has inherent value). I didn't really want any one value to stand out though so that became challenging. 

* Balance or imbalance of weight became very obvious. I tend to lean my shapes to the left or right and I could see that right away. I also try to prop up the bottom and the top rather frequently so that tells me something too. The "weight" of shapes and values became more obvious. 

* It was very easy to get fiddly. Using more shapes doesn't help. I had to constantly ask myself whether or not I was adding something to advance the painting or to cover up an error.

* The color black was interesting to work with. And using blacks and grays and white gave the whole piece a certain feeling.

I have to laugh though because Rich came into the studio as I was nearing completion. His comment was that the little pieces stuck on the background looked like "scrap booking meets fine art." There's a comment for you and it made me think a lot. First, I cringed. Scrap booking? Not what I want. The danger with paper and glue is that it could turn into a craft project. Then, I realized this morning that I was showing a terrible bias. I have always seen myself as a "fine art" kind of artist. Well, what does that mean anyway? Here I am cutting and gluing bits of paper! Is scrap booking or card making or making lanyards and macrame any less of an art form than painting? It makes me question both how I perceive myself and how I perceive all other artists. I hope that my approach to others is more generous and all encompassing than that. But, I also want to be taken seriously no matter how I choose to express myself. I don't want to be embarrassed either. It's going to require more thought.

OK, I hope everyone has had a good holiday and a good weekend/week to recover, etc. I am working on some other ideas and am seriously thinking about another limited value piece. We'll see. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby



12 comments:

  1. I think you've come up with a pleasing composition! Value is one of the hardest lessons, I know I still struggle with it any way. As for the scrap booking comment, ha! Just remember that Matisse made some incredible work with cut papers!

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    1. Karen,

      I have such a hard time with value too. It's mostly the distribution aspect of it though-how much of one value did I use and how did I spread that around?

      The scrap booking thing was interesting also. Just exactly what sort of associations does a regular "non artist" make when they look at art of any kind? It makes me wonder.

      Nice to hear from you. I saw too that you had a birthday. Happy belated birthday wishes:)
      Libby

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  2. A very striking piece.
    Good ole Rich. Bless his heart (as we say in TX)!

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    1. Debra,

      Yah, I use that expression too! Must be a more universal saying:)

      The limited value/black-gray-white thing was very interesting to work with. I think I am going to try another piece but add little pops of color. I sort of have an idea brewing:)

      Libby

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    1. Thanks Sue! Those limited values ended up being a very strong design variable. Funny what you find out:

      Nice to hear from you. Thanks for the comment.
      Libby

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  4. LOL. Introduce your Mr Wonderful to the paper works of yes, Matisse but also Picasso - one called The Head or Juan Gris... So many fabulous artists worked with collage.
    As you know I have just returned from Art Basel in Miami and saw many collage works.
    Definitely not scrap booking.
    I really enjoyed reading your discoveries when doing your value piece, Progress.
    The end result is a winner!
    Thanks as always for sharing your progress and ruminations.

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    1. Thanks Julie,

      One of my new favorites is Romare Bearden. Lots to look at there.

      Collage is a wonderful way to express ideas isn't it? I am heartened that other people do it too. Rich's comment was so interesting to me. As I mentioned to Karen above, you wonder what a non artist type sees when they look at artwork of any kind.

      Looking forward to your upcoming posts. Maybe some thoughts on the show? (greedy girl-always looking for information!)

      Thanks,
      Libby

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  5. Libby what a superb piece. I am drawn to black and white with shades of gray. Your thoughts on how difficult it can be working with this limited color scheme is very insightful. I agree because when I work with pen and ink I struggle to portray balance within the dramatic light and dark contrast. You certainly carried this challenge with great expertise. I consider your art to be fine - it is a wonderful form of collage and mixed media. Sometimes it is easy to have someone else's opinion influence our creative endeavors but in the end we have to be true to our voice. I am so glad you are. Hugs!

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    1. Debbie,

      The absence of color really emphasizes the contrast and design doesn't it? I found it very difficult. When I first started painting I read some advice about how to balance one value over all others; how to place emphasis I guess I should say on one value rather than lots of varied values. I am not sure I have ever really followed that advice strictly but I always keep it in mind:)

      I have another black and white piece in progress and I am struggling with it currently. These pieces are like puzzles to me. Rewarding in the end when the picture is complete but frustrating along the way!

      Hope you are doing well and staying warm and dry. we have fog and dampness today which is not my favorite combination. But! I am going to turn on the fireplace. Thank goodness for propane:)

      Libby__________

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  6. Sorry I'm late in posting a comment, Libby. Lots going on.

    Striking is the word that came to my mind when I saw your art piece. It's a complex design and very strong because of the use of only blacks, whites, and grays. I get the feeling a color version of this may not have the same weight. What I admire is your range of shapes - arcs, circles, lines, angles, etc. to impart your ideas. Great piece!

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    1. Carol,

      This is a busy time of year isn't it? I sure understand that and appreciate your visit and comments. Your insight always helps:)

      I sort of had the same idea about doing this in color. I am not sure that it would work as well. It would be different somehow. I really had the film noir thing in mind and I think that, more than anything, guided me in the color selection. And thank you for the note on the shapes. It's hard to keep everything at the forefront of my mind while working but the shapes and their interactions are important to me. I almost tend to forget that at times when I am stuck.

      I am working on another limited black and white piece. It isn't coming together in quite the same way as the last piece but I will keep working on things.

      Thanks again!

      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