This canvas has been reworked at least 8 times! I have gessoed it over again and again & added more and more modeling paste. It must weigh 20 pounds! I am finally satisfied with this version. What I was after was lots of texture and pleasing shapes. It always amuses me when someone sees an abstract & says a 5 year old could do as well! I find abstracts take so much more composition and problem solving than figures or landscapes. There are endless possibilities as to how to fill any given space with no apparent formula. Any yet each piece, once begun, seems to require a discovery of some hidden and inherent form. That pursuit is so challenging and so absorbing and often pure pleasure!
I made this Frieda Kallo piece years ago & it always felt unfinished even though I had it framed. This week I added some colored tissue paper and hand cut the stencil and painted it in with black gesso. I am finally pleased with this one too! Reworking seems to be my direction of late. Not a bad place to be especially when the creative juices are running low.
3 comments:
Boy that stencil image really makes the Frieda painting strong! Great choice. Also I like the shapes in your abstract.
People who make off hand comments about abstract work are clueless. I find I can only listen to a very select few people when it comes to art. Kind of like not taking old wives tales as the ultimate source for medical advice.
your hand cut stencil is amazing! I love your Kahlo piece and your abstract piece is good too. people who make those remarks about abstract work do not understand art!
Great recycling Marie. I am sure reworking those pieces added depth, textures, and layers! Funny...now when I hear people say things like "a 5 year old could do that", I take it as the ultimate compliment. Children are natural born artists without all the baggage of adults. So if I can draw like a child...that is great!!!!
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