Can’t Stop Angels
Never Finished Sad Angels Collage
Parting: Sad Angels
This is a scan of (most of) a mostly finished collage using two of my drawings. The “sad angels” started as a graphite drawing, which I scanned as usual. I created a couple of digital variations, then worked further on the printed pieces to finish these three sad angels. The abstract wooded scene scan has been enlarged, and is also further modified after printing. The figures, leaf drawing, and feather print are attached with matte medium.
The collage is a little too big for my scanner, so the top & both sides are cropped. And of course I cannot resist trying out a digital foil variation:
Black Hole, Sound and Fury
Made and Found
I made the dragonfly shown above very quickly, as an experiment with Creative Paperclay. I hate waste, so I mounted it on an ( cheap & irritating :-)) 6″x6″ canvas board that I had prepped and forgotten, adding various other remnants and parts that pile up around my studio! It will be mounted as a gift, probably for my two year old granddaughter’s bedroom.
I love the serendipity of the colors above: the daisies and the exquisite shell just found on a beach walk!
Nature Sketching
Yes, I do sketch… but irregularly and as inspired to do so. Never did want to fill up a sketchbook, draw every day, etc. I just don’t do that, and never did. Hated that in the two drawing classes way back in college! What I loved doing, drawing, became a tiresome chore. So no, I don’t do that! But I do sketch objects that inspire me, especially in my Wednesday evening group art sessions.
So last night I was charmed by a colorful speckled leaf, and by a clean, dry and oh so delicate crab skeleton. Drawing the full crab remains would take some hours, so I drew only some parts, and (surprise!) deviating a bit from reality!
Sad Angel
About Feelings
Art, making, and how I feel before, during & after!
Before starting, I am drifting, uncertain, and shifting various ideas and visual images.
Once I start work, I am excited, engrossed, and enthusiastic. It may be tough at times, I may feel my piece is ruined or will never get to the level I want, but mostly I am engaged and energized by the work! At some point I am really excited about ambitious work: I can smell success!
Then when I am finally finished with a good piece there is triumph, but that is generally short-lived. I start to lose interest quickly, and soon I will lose much of my interest in the work. It may actually bore me, even when I remain satisfied with the quality and content of the work.
Maybe that is why career artists often develop their words (!) and find stories for their artwork and why they make art. The story may come during or often after the art work is complete. But a story allows the artist to remain engaged with a piece after it is finished, and to retain more enthusiasm for their finished work. Enthusiasm is very important for marketing art, so lacking a outgoing patron or gallery owner, the artist may need to be the enthusiast! A good story not only helps the artist stay engaged with an artwork, but it allows the artist to share their enthusiasm, through their story, with potential buyers.
I don’t tend to analyze or create stories about my artwork, or about why I work. I find that difficult…!
Three Angels
This is a relief sculpture based on a recent drawing, and has been an ambitious and interesting project.
This is a 24″ x 18″ air dry paperclay relief sculpture on board. This is a new process for me, and it was quite a challenge. The board is completely covered with a thin layer of paperclay. I digitally resized the incomplete figures from my drawing, completed them, and used these to cut out the first layer of each figure. The figures were then built up with additional paperclay and textured before adding pastel pigments.
The cradled board is presented for hanging in a simple homemade protective frame, that can be removed and replaced with a professional frame. It is coated with a spray acrylic that protects it from ambient moisture and dirt, so it can be dusted with a feather duster or wiped gently with a soft cloth.