It's a snowy day here in Colorado so I decided to write. I'm wanting to take my interstice work to the next level. My direct inspriation has been those lovely cracks between rocks, slats in fences, just the spaces in between things. But now, as the work develops, I'm realizing that the depth needs to be actualized more readily. The work does dictate to me how it is created and finished which is exciting but I'm wanting to add more to it. Possibly collage and introducing shapes will bring the necessary changes I am looking for in the work.
I'm also going to begin to work in a larger format - 4 feet, 5 feet - something that I haven't done before with the encaustic. I'm very excited about the possibilities and scared at the same time for I really don't know what to expect. I've worked somewhat large with acrylic and oils years ago but not so much with the encaustic so I'm getting ready to be surprised. Hopefully, not too many frustrations will happen with it!
Along with those changes, I made a new year's resolution to draw one drawing per day in my sketchbook. I was out of the practice of doing that and it's been a revealing challenge. So far, so good with it but what I'm noticing is that with the graphite explorations, I'm able to work through so many ideas before I get to the wax and acrylic works. It's not taking away from the intuitive nature of my studio practice, but rather, allows me to delve into more ideas quickly so that I can weed out ones that don't work very well. The media has been a blast to work with and use for this project. I've also been experimenting with ink washes and large graphite pieces on handmade paper as well. It really allows for the ideas to not only present themselves but also to allow the different media to lend their voices to the process.
There is something very comforting about keeping a daily journal for I'm seeing a chronology to the development of my process which is very affirming and very personal at the same time. The consistant characteristics of my markmaking and designs keep the work grounded with the idea but the variances really help me explore the possibilities of the interstices. And it is with those variances that new ideas come forth, especially the happy accidents! Also, the repetition of the layering of the graphite is very soothing, almost trance-like, very zen if you will. I'm finding that it not only gives me a record of my musings but relaxes and grounds me in my process.
I'm hoping that the work not only grows in depth but will evolve into what it should be within the concepts. One thing I do know is that I can't hold onto those concepts too tightly for the work just might move past them into something new, which I'm open to that. I'd hate to be in the same place, this time next year. I don't believe that an artist can continue to grow while staying in the same place. The work stagnates and becomes reduced to a formula which will kill the work. As Andy Goldsworthy said, "Total control can be the death of a work". This statement is so very true! The more I hold onto an idea and not let it go to be itself, the more it dies. That's the beauty of working intuitively. The chance element and surprise are invited to partake in the creative process, bringing freshness and spontaneity to the work. Hopefully then the work does not fall into a contrived or trite presentation or creation, but one with vitality that draws the viewer into a new experience.
So with that I'll take my leave and work on my sketchbook! Until next time, take care, enjoy, and God bless.
I'm also going to begin to work in a larger format - 4 feet, 5 feet - something that I haven't done before with the encaustic. I'm very excited about the possibilities and scared at the same time for I really don't know what to expect. I've worked somewhat large with acrylic and oils years ago but not so much with the encaustic so I'm getting ready to be surprised. Hopefully, not too many frustrations will happen with it!
Along with those changes, I made a new year's resolution to draw one drawing per day in my sketchbook. I was out of the practice of doing that and it's been a revealing challenge. So far, so good with it but what I'm noticing is that with the graphite explorations, I'm able to work through so many ideas before I get to the wax and acrylic works. It's not taking away from the intuitive nature of my studio practice, but rather, allows me to delve into more ideas quickly so that I can weed out ones that don't work very well. The media has been a blast to work with and use for this project. I've also been experimenting with ink washes and large graphite pieces on handmade paper as well. It really allows for the ideas to not only present themselves but also to allow the different media to lend their voices to the process.
There is something very comforting about keeping a daily journal for I'm seeing a chronology to the development of my process which is very affirming and very personal at the same time. The consistant characteristics of my markmaking and designs keep the work grounded with the idea but the variances really help me explore the possibilities of the interstices. And it is with those variances that new ideas come forth, especially the happy accidents! Also, the repetition of the layering of the graphite is very soothing, almost trance-like, very zen if you will. I'm finding that it not only gives me a record of my musings but relaxes and grounds me in my process.
I'm hoping that the work not only grows in depth but will evolve into what it should be within the concepts. One thing I do know is that I can't hold onto those concepts too tightly for the work just might move past them into something new, which I'm open to that. I'd hate to be in the same place, this time next year. I don't believe that an artist can continue to grow while staying in the same place. The work stagnates and becomes reduced to a formula which will kill the work. As Andy Goldsworthy said, "Total control can be the death of a work". This statement is so very true! The more I hold onto an idea and not let it go to be itself, the more it dies. That's the beauty of working intuitively. The chance element and surprise are invited to partake in the creative process, bringing freshness and spontaneity to the work. Hopefully then the work does not fall into a contrived or trite presentation or creation, but one with vitality that draws the viewer into a new experience.
So with that I'll take my leave and work on my sketchbook! Until next time, take care, enjoy, and God bless.
