In response to the large gauge piece with cool grids as the ground, I have started two smaller pieces which are to function as a diptych.
I had my studio assistant, Marc, trim the edge of both boards; one by cutting and one by ripping. He then sanded both edges down a bit. I knew generally what movement I wanted to feel from the edges of the boards but I wanted the actual shape to be left up to a bit more chance.
In the piece that I’ve started, I drew a boiler with the gauges in a similar spot In the composition as the first piece. However, the smoke in this work became more intense and splits into two shapes which start to convers with one another. I began working the grids with warm colors as the ground to see how it changes the read of the illustrated object.
The object itself is not painted at all so I wonder how much I can push the read without painting the object.
As I have been workin with the warmer grids, I’ve become more aware of the shapes that I am making. Previously with this work I had made decisions on shape and color both from my gut in a very spontaneous manner. While I am not abandoning this I am asking myself after the shapes and colors are in what they are actually accomplishing. As I was suggesting to my baby in a moment of clarity today (mind you he didn’t seem to care much about painting knowledge but was more interested in his bottle) I think I should relate the shapes more to form and the color to emotion, content. The feel of the piece idea come from the color but to what extent depends on the shapes and the shapes scale.
I have plans for several more of these pieces and I am feeling quite excited about this method of working. Perhaps I’ll be able to answer some of the questions of content that I have been stuck on soon.
Peace
-Mike