Thursday, April 16, 2020

Messy and Muddy

Here's where this piece starts to get messy and muddy. Here's where I start to have a harder time trusting the process, especially if I step back.

So I don't step back very often.

Up close, by contrast, the work is grand play—engaging, textural, hands-on, intuitive. I build layers by collaging, stenciling, scratching with hardware store implements, and dragging catalyst tools through soft gel medium.

work in progress, 15 days in, 3/9/2020
30 x 40" canvas (rotated again)

enlarged detail
enlarged detail
enlarged detail

8 comments:

carol edan said...

Mud? I see neutrals! Neutrals make colors sing! Trust the process! Sometime work needs a rest!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Neutral mud! All good!

Thanks, Carol : )

Simone said...

Wow Dotty, I haven't been reacting on your blogposts from the last days, but when I look back at them, they are just marvellous! I love the explosion of colors!!! I love the layering!!!

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Simone, thank you. It's helpful to be looking at my process—internally and externally—retrospectively. I can bring some valuable detachment and observation to what felt messy and muddy—internally and externally—in the making. So grateful for your feedback and encouragement!

Lola (Jen Jovan) said...

Grand play indeed! The middle stage...where mud and mess are constant and direction is uncertain - I get stuck there often. Like you, I don't step back. Who wants to see THAT? In your case, however, this is just layer after glorious layer of goodness.

dotty seiter: now playing said...

I take heart from knowing many a soul and many a malarkist has traveled these paths, too, Jen! Exactly: who wants to see THAT? I'm glad you can see layer after glorious layer of goodness where I cannot. on I go!

Sheila said...

Pretty mud :) Traveled back and forth through these a couple of times :)

dotty seiter: now playing said...

Nothing like tromping through mud a few times over, especially if you can see pretty : )

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