Saturday, May 23, 2009

Cooperate

The piece above is one I have been working on, getting ready for a show in July. Not sure if it is done or not, the usual dilema. Wouldn't it be great if you could just set the timer on your stove and you'd know when it was time to take it out of the oven - off the easel. Or in my case off the table. I have been working flat as I'm using very wet acrylics. At times the water controls the work and I'm trying to cooperate with the natural properties of the water. I'm learning what it will and won't do, mixed with the paint and mediums. I can encourage it to make little bubbles or drips or thin washes. I use a variety of sponges, rags, spray bottles etc. And my fingers, moving the thin wet paint or dabbing to make little spots. It sometimes surprises me how these layers change as they dry. The process is totally different than work I've done with tube paints and brushes. Stand back, wait, watch and play some more.
Click on the pic to enlarge and see the lovely effects of water play!

2 comments:

Silverbear said...

I love the layering in this piece. Once again, I am drawn to a representational interpretation of this work. The spotting above the horizon gives it a very dynamic "tone", which contrasts nicely with the fields of colour below.
Nicely done.

Anonymous said...

Are you having an opening for your show in July, and when?
Sally