This is my favourite time of year for painting! I know you've heard me say this before, but I can't help but say it again. During the winter I focus on explorations and trying new things, expanding on ideas I've gathered, in short, it's play time! There is nothing like play to recharge your batteries and enliven creativity. That's true for all of us, everyone needs play time to keep the energy and creativity alive in your life.
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| In process |
I'm working on some commission pieces, but while they are in various stages of doneness I play! As you may know, the way I work has many stages, requiring drying times, setting up times and problem solving times! There is nothing "fast" about my process, part of that is just me, slow and steady wins the race, my Dad lives on in me in that regard. *grin*
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| Steps 1&2 |
I fell in love with textures and rich, deep tones, so every piece begins with layering in textures, after I've thought about the basic design, focal points and the like. However, these masked pieces I'm working on begin with a blank canvas, in which I layer in my masking elements in a design pattern that gives the overall effect I'm looking for, from there it's a spin of the wheel what I'm going to have to work with! After applying inks, fluid acrylics and spritzing with water to encourage the colour to blend, I cover the piece with plastic, weight it down so the masks will leave a strong imprint in the inks and leave it for 24 hours to dry. I never know how the inks will blend, or what kind of patterning I'll get and of course there will be the challenge of deepening the colours as they will dry much lighter than is my preference.
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| Steps 3&4 |
Now the challenges begin, how to better develop the piece. I will use Alcohol inks, inks, fluid acrylics, re-mask and use spray gesso to quite areas or create harmony throughout the piece, collage and stenceling. But those details will have to wait until I've completed them! So off I go to solve some problems, hope you find time to play as well.
"You discover how to be spontaneous; you develop your intuition; you follow the inspiration of your heart...Skill and technique are not the focus of the work; they will develop in time. This approach demands that you do not focus on product, but that you become acquainted with Point Zero, the source of creation. It liberates you from the pressures of success and failure and aims instantly toward authenticity, personal style, and aliveness. This approach requires a deep understanding of creativity and a willingness to explore." Point Zero by Michele Cassou
If I had to write an artist statement, which I probably never will, this would pretty much sum up how I feel about what I do!
