Right now I am working on two very different focuses (foci?) I am continuing with my series on Vessels, which I have mentioned previously. It will continue to be an important part of my practise, there are many ideas percolating around and I have been sketching and journaling about the series.
But I also wanted to make collage pieces like I did in Mexico, when I made a few small pieces like this:
I started by printing fabric and paper to use in “building construction”! Have you ever done gel printing? Its a style of mono printing using a synthetic gel surface to print on…it feels a bit like silicone and is very user friendly. Check it out on YouTube or Pinterest, it is amazing!
But I want this work to have a different influence from my time in Spain with old buildings and little village with interesting profiles.
So I made a big stack of papers and another big stack of fabrics – some of the best prints I got by tearing up old white bed sheets! I also tried painting dilute gesso onto the fabric to give it some “tooth” that worked very well (my formula is 75% water and 25% clear gesso).
Here are some of my favourites:
I had made a few sketches of the village while I was working in the hostel and I would like to use those as inspiration – I am finding the scale tricky to interpret – just how large do I go?
Now I am facing a couple of challenges:
- what should the background be? I have painted washes for sky and ground on watercolour paper
- I think the wonky buildings are fun but maybe too frivolous
- I tried painting buildings behind the collage – not sure that worked
- one piece has a nice grouping but isn’t grounded onto anything below.
I want to be “good” at it right now!
I don’t want to take time and thought!
I want to work bigger – and fear is holding me back!
I try a layout and it doesn’t work – I have failed!
Wow! Wow! I have only spent two days on this work – why do I expect perfection so quickly? I didn’t get where I am in a week, where is the patience that I suggest to others? I know mistakes are ok, the garbage can isn’t quite full…yet!
Does this sound familiar: We watch a two minute video and it looks so easy – why doesn’t mine? We bought the right supplies, why isn’t it working? I followed the instructions but why is mine different?
So I had some serious self-talk and now I know there’s still time….and I made some sweet little windows!
Breathe – smile and have a cup of coffee!
Love the houses
I feel your pain! LOL! I blame home rehab shows. They can get a whole house and landscaping done in an hour! Why can't I? The struggle is real. Your results are fabulous. Love the colors and the textures. Thanks for sharing!
I think they look charming already, but if you aren't happy with them, why not cut them up in an abstract way, put them back together all wonky, so you have them express the abstract part of your art, rather than the trash can. Then try again, using the same buildings, but in a different way, somehow. You might get the realism this time. It could be a series- the same image, done in many styles / ways.
Darcy, Thank you…I'm having a lot of fun but todays work was just …meh!
Judy, I am thinking of wonky houses and may do some of those. I think I'm working too tight! I need to be silly and have some fun with them…
I so much relate and apathetic to what you are going through. I'm very much interested in mix media, especially working with fabric and paper. I find it challenging as well. I wish I could work with you ???? i love your works so far. Way to go Susan!