Work in Progress #6
working small to large, Margaret Kilgallen, 9 themes in one symbol, David Whyte, William Blake, angels
This week, I’m sharing a mid-year art progress update. I’ve chosen the images I’m feeling most excited about so far (except the school mural - its in a different category altogether, installation timelapse below) Some are traditional media, and some digital. I’ll share a bit more about context and such below.
I’m mostly making smaller improvisational work as the basis for bigger paintings so far. Typically, I make improvisational paintings exclusively. However, in recent-ish mural and commission experiences I loved the efficiency and satisfaction of blowing up a tiny thing into something large.
Folks, its so much faster to paint big when you know what you’re painting and are not figuring out every detail in the moment. Its also more relaxing to paint this way! At this stage I want ease and efficiency without sacrificing quality. Or maybe I will get better quality! The perfectionist in me is still here after all.
The improvisational process in the smaller drawings is all about following the trail of intuitive suggestions and trusting that it will lead to something interesting and meaningful at some point. Parts of me do not believe this will happen and/or are afraid of what might happen. I’ve learned to do it anyway.
I swear I heard Margaret Kilgallen say in Beautiful Losers (or maybe in an Art 21 thing?) that a professor told her that if you give a piece enough time it eventually works out. I try to keep going on whatever I’m doing until I arrive at something interesting, meaningful and that feels resolved.
Watercolor and I are back on. A couple weeks ago I was feeling underwhelmed with the watercolor experiments I did earlier this year. Welp, I went back with more layers on some images and they look much better to my eye. I appreciate that watercolor allows subtle shades and gradations, and the texture is beautiful and somewhat unpredictable, which makes it surprising and delightful.
There’s a curious white head that has popped up and hooked my curiosity big time.
The white head is operating for me in the world of these associations:
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