Death amidst life

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

These are pages of a book that honors a life now closed.

The crystal ship with the recumbent figure is work that came together slowly. Like much of my work, the final piece is assembled from parts I created along the way. While I had a special desire to create a “crystal ship”, I did not plan the final work in advance.

This figure, which resembled a good friend, became a memorial to him when he died, and it fit into my crystal ship perfectly. The symbolism of the ship is relevant both to him, as an individual fascinated by ocean explorations, and more broadly to all of us. All of us who have sailed, or will soon sail away. It is a deeply personal piece.

I attached the figure and the few special objects to the crystal resin ship. The work sits on a lightweight wrapped wire stand that I made for it. I have photographed it in many settings.

Share

Parting: Sad Angels

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

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:

Share

Made and Found

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

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!

Share

Nature Sketching

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

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!

Share

About Feelings

P.T. Artist Sandra Stowell Posted on by

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…!

Share