Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Jan 2017 30in30, Day 11

There's a This-is-the-house-that-Jack-built story in here if I can untangle it.

This is the painting that Dotty started. 

This is the painting 
that came from the painting that Dotty started. 

This is the painting 
that came from the painting 
that came from the painting that Dotty started

… well, you get the idea.

Or not!

I started with a 16x20" sheet of canvas paper. Eleven days into January that start has now been cut into many pieces. After each cut, I added a layer of painting to both resulting halves.

Today, I have a 4x5" beginning-and-several-middles piece in front of me asking for an end.

I shake hands with not knowing.

Again.

Didn't I already do not knowing?

I take a tentative step. Walk away. Return to take another step.

And so forth.

Watership Down Dusk
4x5"; acrylic, ink, and tissue collage on canvas paper
abstract
2017



12 comments:

carol edan said...

Dotty you should write a book and illustrate it with these paintings! Love this piece, especially the patterns in the bottom half. Were they painted on the tissue paper after pasting or befote?

Sheila said...

LOL Dotty, long time since I thought of that story. LOVe this landscapy, crazy-quilt view. I want to drive down those strees, or is it up? I want to tast e the fruits and vegetables that grown in those wonky fields. Wonder if they are wonky too? Joy is clearly visible here, so glad you are having fun!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Carol, thanks for your enthusiasm for my January paintings and for this one in particular. The patterns in the bottom half evolved organically/intuitively. If you go back to day 10, you can see the piece from which this one began—this was the right half. So some of the marks that you see in the bottom of the piece were already in place, embedded in the acrylic skin on top of the torn tissue collaging. From there I started playing, I think first working on the upper portion of the piece. One thing led to another and I decided I needed more lines in the lower portion for balance. Then I saw that I need more contrast in density and value between the top and bottom so started fiddling with adding interior mark making in the spaces created by my lines. Altogether this was a REALLY fun piece to work on, and I love the outcome. Plus, I love knowing the journey it took from day 1 till day 11.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Sheila, glad you got a chuckle out of recalling the house that Jack built! Lots of joy in this one, for sure. I agree, fields and streets and who knows what-all else.

Lola (Jen Jovan) said...

I am fascinated by your process, and love the intriguing contrasts you achieve! Now I am thinking - what will happen if I cut up my art and reassemble it some other way? Now you've done it...I feel an experiment coming on!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks for your comments, Jen. I'm especially happy to hear your mention of contrasts since I actually noticed the need for same and set about making them happen. Woo hoo.

Oh boy, can't wait to see what happens once you get experimenting with cutting up and reassembling! Glad to have lit a spark : )

Simone said...

I very much like the idea of cutting up your artwork. To give up control and let new things emerge!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

I have had so much fun with this investigation. The only day in January that I've faced a blank canvas has been January 1. Since then, I always have a start of some sort to which to respond when I go to my studio. This investigation has led me so many unexpected places and has called on me to go with intuition over and over again.

Kari said...

Fantastic, Dotty! I love how you keep finding something new to create with your original painting.

Reading posts by a few others, I see everyone having to really push at this point. One third of the way there (toward the 30). Just have to keep going. We can do it. We can ALL do it! My life is super ridiculous right now and I will explain everything that's happening at the end of the challenge so I don't get bogged down by it right now.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Kari—finding something new to create with my original painting has been a really fun way for me to approach the 30in30 with the current busy-ness in my life. I appreciate your explicitly discussing the push needed at this point in the challenge; the first blush of love has faded, so to speak. BUT here we all are together, and the together recharges me when my internal batteries are drained. I'm grateful to have you as one of the folks in the together : )

Gillian St George - Painting with Passion said...

Ditto to all the great comments. Hang/hanging in there!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks for stopping by Gillian! Sure is a busy month!!!

Post a Comment