In the Cove

In the Cove: I think mixing some representational elements to an abstracted design is nice.  Or is it adding abstraction to a representational design? Another in my Harborside series.

In the Cove is 8x8" Acrylic media and collage on panel.

On the Ridge

On the Ridge:  I'm still working on my Hillside series, too!

On the Ridge is 6x6" Acrylic media and collage on panel.

Antique

Antique:  Continuing to Design by Grid.  I'm getting the sense of red lacquer and worn leather.  Remembrances of ancestors and their journeys.  

Antique is 8x8" Acrylic media and collage on panel.

Affiche

Affiche: I'm still experimenting with designing in a grid, working with analogous warm colors. Also trying for some interesting texture. As in Graffiti, I'm seeing a wall with traces of old posters, peeled and worn by weather and the passage of time. 

Affiche is 6x6" Acrylic media and collage on panel.

Graffiti

How to start a collage: When our class asked Carrie Burns Brown how she begins a collage, she responded wryly: " There is no way to begin a collage.  You just start gluing things down." This may be sage advice about starting any painting. I find sometimes it is not until the hand begins to move that  the ideas begin to come!

Graffiti is 8x8" acrylic and collage on panel.  

Harvest

Limited palette: With collage, I've used fluid acrylics for the first time.  Also new colors: raw umber, thalo turquoise, nickel azo yellow.  As I discovered in oil, limiting your palette can really strengthen your design.  And limiting your palette is not just putting out a few colors to paint with.  It means limiting the colors that actually end up on the canvas!  Big difference! This involves a lot of restraint.

Harvest is  6x6" acrylic and collage mounted on 8x8" matte board.

Forest Texture

Color Design: By limiting your colors, you can make lovely combinations. Here I've stuck to yellow-greens and blue-greens, evoking summer foliage and bark-like texture.

Forest Texture is 6x6" acrylic and collage, mounted on 8x8" matte board.

Autumn

Simple composition, complex surface: The wonderful gouache artist Donna Zagotta once said that she aspires to "simple compositions with complex surface treatments."  I think that is a great way to try and harness all the delicious papers I've been making!

Autumn is 7x7" acrylic and collage, mounted on 10x10" matte board.

Summer

Designing in a Grid:  I like working in a grid.  You have to be careful to vary distances and textures.  And in the end  I think your value scheme decides whether or not  the composition is intriguing.

Summer is 6x6" acrylic and collage mounted on 8x8" matte board.