Gel Transfers and Resistance

From the loft this week...

One down and others on the go.  The antique car photo is a gel transfer, I wanted that aged and battered look that you get from the imperfections of doing a Gel transfer.  (Notice the nicks and scares and areas where the photo was lifted)  So if your interested in giving the imperfect a try...

Using a Gel Medium, like Golden Regular Gel Medium (Matt or Semi-gloss):

-spread a thin but even layer of the medium on the canvas where you want the transfer to be.
-Carefully place the laser print photo face down into the gel and gently but firmly press the photo into the gel being careful not to get the gel onto the back of the photo. Wipe the gel off if you do get some on the back as I usually do!
-allow the gel to completely dry (I let it dry over night, drying time depends on how thick the gel is and heat/humidity of your work space)
-Once the gel is dry, spray the back of the photo completely with water, then using your finger tips begin to rub and roll off the back layers of the paper.  This is quite a process, continuing to spritz with water and getting all the backing off so that the imbedded gel photo shows through.  Once I've gotten the most of the white paper off and my image is showing up nicely, I then use a  Mr. Clean Eraser to carefully scrub off the fine white paper residue left on the image.


From 'Do The Work' by Steven Pressfield

"When you and I set out to create anything--art, commerce, science, love--or to advance in the direction of a higher, nobler version of ourselves, we uncork from the universe, ineluctably, an equal and opposite reaction. That reaction is Resistance. Resistance is an active, intelligent, protean, malign force--tireless, relentless, and inextinguishable--whose sole object is to stop us from becoming our best selves and from achieving our higher goals...
We can never eliminate Resistance. It will never go away. But we can outsmart it, and we can enlist allies that are a powerful as it is."

Been battling some resistance these days myself, how about you?  Here's to outsmarting 'Resistance' in our lives! 

Unlocking Wisdom

This new piece, "Unlocking Wisdom," is now hanging on my wall, so I can enjoy it for a time.  After posting a picture or two on Facebook, I was asked what its story was, so I'll try to explain it the best I can.

In truth there is always mystery involved in understanding completely the intuitive pull that has me adding certain elements. This piece is about the search for wisdom.  Decisions are made every day, our need for insight, guidance and wisdom is a constant.  At the top of the canvas I created the effect of tree branches for trees represent 'Wisdom' to me. Behind the branches I collaged in a blueprint that you will catch glimpses of as you look deeper into the piece, for wisdom often hides and it takes more than a quick glance to 'See.'

 The doorway to Wisdom is often locked and you will need a key to enter its presence, is there just one key or are their more?  The graphics at the bottom of the piece, lets me know I need to pay attention to the signs that surround me, speaking an ancient language for a modern time.  I used both collaged pictures of Hebrew writings as well as stencil work of the Hebrew language over top.  I love the visual effect of Hebrew as well as the fact that it is an ancient language so it served me well for depicting what I needed to about our search for Wisdom as we live our lives...

"Unlocking Wisdom" (24x36") is available for purchase, I'll be adding it to my website soon, or email me if interested.

"Where do our real thoughts come from? How can we access them? From what source does our true, authentic self speak?   Do The Work by Steven Pressfield