CSI, SVU Update

Creativity Scene Investigation, Special Ventures Unit
Update 2/28/17

Evidence of tampering with evidence

When Vova and Vova II were cut up, with only scraps left behind, the scraps were taken and held as evidence by CSI, SVU.

Now two of those scraps have been reported in a new piece of work—a handmade greeting card, that arrived in Goffstown, NH, by post:

Nessie & Ned
3.5x4.5"; acrylic, ink, and collage on drawing paper, mounted on layers of card stock
abstract
2017

Authorities are investigating this new development.

What to Do?

where I left off

What to do, what to do?

What happens if I add pattern/texture with stencil and spray paint?

Just Kidding 22717a [working title]

Pretty cool.

What happens if I use a sponge roller to veil the stenciling, and then scribble in it with a tooling stylus?

Just Kidding 22717b [working title]

How 'bout some complementary color? Some drips?

Just Kidding 22717c [working title]

How 'bout I let this percolate overnight?

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detail of scratches that reveal other iterations on this canvas

Now I Know

The neutral wash and veiling I used yesterday came from a mix of bright aqua green and vivid red orange. I was thinking ahead to wanting those colors in subsequent layers. Today I take those same colors and spread variations of them onto my textured surface with a palette knife.

Very enjoyable in the spreading, very appealing in my close-up detail photos.

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Not so appealing when I step back. Too sparse and patchy.

Just Kidding 22417 [working title]

So now I know what problems I've created to resolve tomorrow.

Documentation

When I first considered painting over Screw Auger Falls Birches, I hesitated.

But, very early on in my painting life in 2014, I made a pledge to use painting as a practice in letting go.

As if I had a choice.

Truth to tell, letting go of Screw Auger Falls Birches wasn't tremendously difficult—I'd painted it well over a year ago, and I didn't feel like shopping for new canvas board so what the heck, why not?

Harder was letting go of Passing By a few days ago, even though I wasn't wildly in love with it. I could still feel the attachment that grew from investing myself in creating it.

Nonetheless, buh-bye to Passing By, and hello again to Just Kidding.

I'm grateful that I document process, providing myself evidence of the fun stuff that can come from daring and risk-taking and letting go. I usually have trouble veiling something already painted on a canvas, but isn't this yummy?

Just Kidding 22317a [working title]

Just Kidding 22317b [working title]

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Laughing Her Head Off

Just Kidding is neither introspective nor deliberate. Neither cautious nor self-aware. Not a worrier. Not a planner.

She is totally in the moment, that minx.

While I stepped out to snap a photo of a snowfall late last week,

February in full color

JK took herself on a romp in my studio, laughing her head off the whole time. She got into crumpled-paper collage, matte medium, paints, catalyst blades, paint markers, palette knives, and ink markers before she ran out of steam.

Did she clean up after herself?

Hahahahahahaha!

JK Returns

I received an event mailing the other day that insisted on becoming collage material.

save-the-date becomes creative fodder

So my studio time was very tactile today. I love the physicality of tearing paper, the zen-like reflective meditation of tugging apart paper fibers.

After fragmenting the save-the-date card, I got into kindergarten finger painting mode again as I did a few days ago, though my paint this time was actually paste—matte medium, to be precise. I love the physicality and directness of using my fingertips to spread glue and then press into place bits of collage.

Please gasp and laugh with me: Passing By has passed by, and Just Kidding is back being mischievous and playful.

Just Kidding 22117 [working title]

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Law & Order: CSI, SVU

Creativity Scene Investigation, Special Ventures Unit
Report

Evidence of criminal creative activity

Exhibit A
scraps from Vova and Vova II

Forensic investigative findings
Investigative findings suggest possible motives.


Current status
Investigators assigned to the case cannot release further information at this time.

Lining Things Up

Moseyed into my studio not knowing what or if I would add to Vova II. Stayed in a quiet place of pause until collage came to mind.

I sifted through my handpainted collage papers and found two that called out to me. Headed for my paper trimmer to cut thin strips, but stopped. Tore my strips instead. Savored the satisfying feeling of spreading matte medium, placing my strips, pressing them down, and further securing them with more medium.

Then I did stop. I think this piece needs to stay simple. It's part of a possible project where less-is-more may be key.

Vova II 21717 [working title] 

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Vova Has Company

I start a piece today that has the working title Vova II.

Brush on color in a free and easy manner to begin. Mix colors on my palette and on the painting itself. Then, once the base colors dry, play with a stencil and spray paint.

Having fun, having fun.

Vova II 21617 [working title]

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Simpatica

A young girl enters my home with her parents. A new tutorial student for me.

It is winter.

We have some work to do together. Academic tasks.

Decoding, spelling. That kind of stuff.

We're both willing.

And so we get to work.

Aside from that work, what would we have in common, we who are are decades apart in age?

Souls, that's what.

An inner string of vibration.

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How long's that string been vibrating? Ten years now?

Inner String of Vibration
4x5.25"; acrylic, ink, and collage on paper, mounted on card stock
abstract
2017
[gift][birthday card]

LOVE MY TEAM

LOVE MY TEAM was a message created for Necco's The Game of Love theme for its candy conversation hearts in 2005.

I do love my team!

You know how sometimes folks come into your home and as you hug them you can drink deeply of the fresh outdoor air they carry indoors with them in their hair or on their clothes? Today I felt so aware of the fresh air of my friendships with other artists online—my team. I breathed that pure oxygen right in.

In particular, Simone's mention of painting with her fingers suffused my studio time, and Carol's mention of using a black and white filter to assess values in a painting is about to freshen up this post.

I continue to move along with Vova, mixing and adding color with my fingers, using spray paint, playing with stencils, scribbling with wax pastels, dripping paints from bottles, turning the painting on it side, and checking its values.

Happy Valentine's Day, one and all!

Vova 21417 [working title]

values, not too bad!

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