Thursday, March 30, 2017

Chain Reaction

A little chain reaction that started right around the first of the year:

• Simone tuned me in to Instagram so I began posting;

• Sheila pointed me in the direction of some tips on how to use Instagram at my computer vs. on my phone which suddenly gave me much easier ways to connect with other artists and have conversations;

• Betty painted a painting that was very compelling;

• I admired another Instagram painting and wished for the umpteenth time that I could/would layer and veil more freely when I paint; and

• out of the blue, Marielle encouraged me to participate in a 100layersofpaint challenge.

Nah, I thought. I've got way too much going on.

And I did have too much going on. Still do.

But just hours before I headed on my midMarch vacation, I impulsively grabbed an old painting done on gessobord. I felt tenderness for that early investigation of whatever it was that abstract painting might be.

But, well, buh-bye. Secrets of a Bayside Barn served a purpose then, but now it had a new purpose. It officially became Layer 1. I knew it would be easy to add new layers without hesitation.

layer 1/100

I grabbed a Posca paint pen and wrote 100 layers of paint all over it. Layer 2.

layer 2/100

About half an hour before we left for the airport, I just had to add another layer. Total fun. Then I washed brushes, scrambled to stuff last-minute items in my suitcase and backpack, hoped I wasn't leaving anything behind, and headed out the door.

layer 3/100

Awesome. Totally love it.


11 comments:

carol edan said...

WOW I do admire your courage! That fist layer is amazing, it actually reminded me of Chagall at the first and most important glance. What is this 100 layer challenge, not that I need any thing more going. just wrote a list of 15 thing to do today and tomorrow. That all said I really love the stages!!! Kol ha Kavod!!!

Sheila said...

Love Love Love!!! I love each face this has had. Th first was bold and graphic, energetic. The second was a pop art sensation! And the final is calming and mysterious. Bits of confetti flying through the air. Did someone say a party?? Well, I am pretty sure there is more to come with this. I love it. Love the story that goes along with this. Again you have inspired me. (UGH, still need to get on instagram.) So glad the tips helped you Dotty :) So honored to be any small part of your wonderful journey :)

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks, Carol, for your votes of confidence and enjoyment. Cracks me up that you even found pleasure in the original layer I did in 2015. I chose it as a starting point b/c it seemed to have more than lived its useful life as was. I really don't even know what this 100layersofpaint challenge is. Someone mentioned it, I started playing.

And my own list WAY surpasses 15 things, many of which are either time or mentally demanding or both.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

thanks, thanks, thanks! Each layer HAS been fun! And, yes, more to come : )

The tips DID help, and you are more than a small part of my wonderful art journey.

carol edan said...

My mane stress is the draft for my writing. Case Study. My subject Painting: Dead or Alive... Any thoughts welcome. have a LOT of materiel but haven't really digested all. My days have been split up and again I am near the deadline. Tomorrow family, Sunday brunch with friends etc etc etc.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Best wishes, Carol—so cool that you're taking this class. Send me an email if there's a (smallish!) something I might be able to do to assist with your current assignment.

Simone said...

I also really love how the underlayer peeps through the upperlayer. Isn't that called 'negative space'? Painting around something, so that the underlayer starts to become its own shape? I really love this process! And the outcome!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Simone, thanks for your comments and questions and enthusiasm. Yes, negative space was the name of the game with layer 3, and I just LOVED painting it. I, too, loved the process and loved the outcome.

Janet Bradish said...

Can't keep up with you! So interesting to see where you have been and where you might be going. I too like the first layer - a little sad to see it disappear, but look forward to seeing what comes next!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Thanks for your comments, Janet. Fun to have you back in the mix : )

I'm laughing as I discover that others like the first layer. A lesson I bump into over and over (and forget in between): there's no predicting all the many ways individuals will respond to the same painting.

Sheila said...

:) So glad we "met" Dotty :)

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