It has been quite hard to get motivated to do work this past month. Whether it is the pandemic, still, or the rest that I usually desire after the holidays, or just a block is hard to tell. But I really want to resume my mixed media online course, and yet I have been procrastinating. I have always had trouble with the idea that I should make small pieces as samples that I can use then to make bigger work. Perhaps the reason for this is my dislike of doing things twice. Part of me doesn’t want all the clutter of wee pieces that have no purpose other than experimentation. But with this course I have done a number of smaller pieces to practice the techniques. I painted some mini abstracts months ago and put them away over the holidays just because… but this past week I got them out again in an attempt to get going.
I have recently begun to read, A Primer of Visual Literacy by Donis A Dondis . I always seem to read when I’m having trouble doing. It seems to clear my mind . Somehow I usually find a book that helps me understand more about this art making process, at the very least, and at the very best it clears up the issue that seems to have me stymied. I’m not quite sure where this one is leading but it is encouraging me to look at the work I have done and see if it speaks.
The three little square ones, the top and the two on the bottom,were the first I tried, I find them quite interesting, what they might be saying …. “Well?” The three pieces in the middle were cut from other small pieces. These ones I looked at with a frame to find the most pleasing parts as I felt the wholes were less than interesting. I’m wondering if these will become wee cards on their own or if they will be added to other larger collages that decide to make themselves known.
These four are definitely a series, I like that the colours and shapes find themselves in each one
At the moment I am feeling uncertain about whether any of them are more than exercises, even if I like them. And where to go from here is the big question?
I’d love to hear any reactions from readers. Do you see something? Do you feel they speak of something or is the fact that the intention was to experiment, to learn about media and composition, all that is coming through.
Does an artist have to have a specified intention before an abstract can accomplish more than just splash?
hmm, I may have to get further into some books!