Friday, September 16, 2016

Shapes, Day 2

Whoa. I did not expect to feel so clunky and awkward with this lesson. So all-thumbs-and-no-grace.

So … out of shape!

Yesterday, Day 1, I started by making two speed paintings to give me interesting backgrounds with which to try my hand at using negative space.

Inner voice: Well, this is not interesting. These Blick student paints are ugly. 

I went on, flew by the seat of my pants, hoped to have one mark or shape lead to the next in a pleasing way, but I had trouble using the mask I made. Painting over the background felt uneven and ungainly.

No, no, no. Why can't I get these paints to work? Why does it look so easy when Jane does it?

I noticed my inner voice.

Redirected myself to The Parameters That Define This Exploration.

Noticed.

Redirected.

Noticed.

Redirected.

Today, Day 2, I go online to look at some shapes-oriented art of others. My knee-jerk reaction: an internal impulse to imitate.

I notice. 

I catch myself.

So, my mantra for today: get centered, breathe deeply, move slowly.

What then comes to consciousness is something from deeper than the imitation impulse—the recognition that what I want to 'imitate' is not this painting or that, but any given artist's ability to express herself uniquely. 

I don't want to imitate at all—I want to still myself enough to discover, develop, and honor my own visual voice. 

Get centered, breathe deeply, move slowly. 

Just do the lesson.

Keep exploring.

Shapes #3, 9x12"

8 comments:

Sheila said...

These look like underwater treasures! A new species waiting to be discovered!
Loved your post :) Oh that voice, that voice! LOL Have fun tomorrow!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Sheila. So much fun to now see my shapes as underwater treasures through your eyes!

carol edan said...

I love it. Doesn't show the turmoil. Where theses painted nrgatively?

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Carol. Yes, did a speed painting first, masked three shapes and painted the negative space once through, then painted three additional shapes, reworked the painting of the negative space, finally added ink and water-soluble wax pastels.

Corinne Bekker said...

This is wonderful. I like Sheila's description - underwater treasures. But to me it's simply beautiful shapes with a mystery to it. Love it.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thank you, Corrine. Love that this piece (a) reads as shapes, thereby fulfilling the requirement of the lesson I'm doing and (b) has mystery also!

http://cagleyart.blogspot.com/ said...

Dotty - I LOVE this! Love the colors and shapes. I think you fulfilled the lesson beautifully!!!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Connie, thank you! All encouragement is gratefully received at this point!

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