Sunday, June 5, 2016

New Work: Downtown


Downtown (after Stuart Davis)
collage
image size 15" x 18" approx
The above piece is much more in line than the last piece with regard to what I want to do. People love the color pink but I felt that my use of it wasn't at all what I intended. I did enjoy some of the patterns and shapes that I made and the way that I solved some challenging design issues, however, so it wasn't a total loss. So, onward right?

For many months now I have been mentally grappling with several art related issues, one of which is how to combine the drawn line with my cut shapes. I want to relate the solution to what I already do naturally (with my sketching) rather than seeing what someone else does and following their lead. Doing what I know and building on what I am learning is important to me. Plus, the whole thing has to look like me and fit my personality. I will be trying some things this week and if they go well I will show them. I have another idea too given to me by my friend, Julie.  She suggested cropping some of my work to help get out of old habits and to get on to new ways of seeing what you are doing. I have some cropped compositions from my work and will be trying out her suggestion. Thank you Julie, I think you pried me out of my self imposed wedge!

Hope everyone is having a good weekend. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Libby
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8 comments:

  1. juliefordoliver.blogspot.comJune 5, 2016 at 9:27 PM

    This is dynamic - really strong design and the orange is a brilliant addition.
    I think you made some great choices here, Libby.
    Cant wait to see what else you share with us.
    Happy to hear you are back in the flow.

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    1. Libby FifeJune 6, 2016 at 3:28 AM

      Thanks Julie! Those are some positive comments. Lately, I have been trying to add "surprise" colors in small doses. That orange and the green strip were my attempts at adding something unexpected.

      I have some cropped compositions planned for this week. Feels like I can't work fast enough! We will see what happens:)

      Thank you as always for your visit and comments!
      Libby

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  2. UnknownJune 6, 2016 at 5:30 AM

    oh yes! That orange behind the blue is perfect. I also really like that I can see some brush marks in the blue and black, as this adds another dimension for me. Super composition!

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    1. Libby FifeJune 6, 2016 at 1:48 PM

      Thanks Carol! I like that little bit of orange too and it was a kind of accident. I wasn't strictly paying attention and forgot my plan. Good thing because it proved to be a good design move. You never know. And the brushstrokes you see are caused by an addition of acrylic medium to the paint. I originally intended it as a way to extend the paint but it also works nicely to add translucency, hence the brushstrokes and texture. Again, happy accidents.

      Thank you as always for the visit and observations. I appreciate it.
      Libby

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  3. Deborah NolanJune 6, 2016 at 6:28 AM

    Dear Libby there is a more serious feel to this piece. The angles keep my eye moving. Strong feel of structure which makes the title very appropriate. Hope you are having a great creative day. When you mentioned cropping certain pieces it makes great sense. It really does make something appear quite different. Hugs!

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    1. Libby FifeJune 6, 2016 at 1:51 PM

      Thanks Debbie. I thought this piece was more "serious" also, for what it is worth. I guess it is important to continually feel your way around subject matter and style-what kind of a feeling do you want to convey and how do you do that? Always trying to figure things out.

      Hope your Monday is off to a good start. Thank you for the visit!
      Libby

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  4. Carol FlattJune 8, 2016 at 10:23 AM

    Definitely an urban feel. But, to me you have softened the concept with the use of softer colors. I'd love to see what you'd do with a large city skyline.

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    1. Libby FifeJune 9, 2016 at 8:46 AM

      Carol,

      Those are good observations Carol, and ones that I didn't immediately see. Urban scenes are sometimes hard and gritty aren't they? Maybe using softer colors is another possible approach.

      Good suggestion on the skyline. I like having ideas in my back pocket:)

      Thanks for the visit. Hope you are well:)
      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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