Composition with Shapes

Week 3 of Jane's online class, exploring composition using shapes as the primary element. For this exercise I got my gelli plate out, which is on of my favorite toy! But I used a lot of different other techniques too. I do tend to gravitate around circles, donuts and oval in general because I love working with shapes. I am always inspired by this video I saw a while ago by Rex Ray and how he uses shapes in his collage. Just love the simplicity and graphic style of his work.

100 drawings on cheap paper

This is my favorite piece from this exercise. It was such a disaster at the beginning and I started painting over with abandon since I had nothing to lose. I titled this piece; "Boardwalk".

Well, on to another Jane Davies online class. This one is titled: "100 drawings on cheap paper". In this workshop we focus on quantity – making at least 10 pieces each week. And I quote: "The pieces don’t have to be “good”; they don’t even have to be finished. By focusing on particular elements each week, and creating quantity, you begin to let go of the constant judgment and evaluation that can get you stuck, and you get the practice you need to move through the ordinary frustrations of making art. Loosen up, be expansive and generous with yourself, and have fun!"

This was super fun! For our first layer, we have to cover the whole page (9x12) with paint in 20 seconds. I love to work fast because it makes me get out of my own way and that's when I end up discovering some new textures and techniques because I am not trying to do a finished piece. I did 12 of these starts and they look a little messy and sometimes muddy but it only makes it easier to paint over. 

Then we had to paint over and play with transparency and opacity and lines. Again I didn't spend a lot of time on these because we have to post our work before the new session is up and I am always last minute. But for once, procrastination is helpful because but it keeps me from overthinking too much and the graphic designer in me doesn't have time to engage and judge too much, which is a good thing when I you want to experiment. I will do more of these and probably rework some of them but I was happy with the one on the top left. Another rescue painting!

Happy New Year! Bonne Année!

I have been having a great holiday season spending time with friends and family and not traveling too far away from home. Yesterday, my son and I spent some time in my studio experimenting with monoprinting techniques using a gelli plate. It was a blustery day and my husband built a cosy fire in the wood stove and we were listening to the rain drops on the roof while playing around with colors and shapes. I love collaborating on projects like this because I end up using colors outside of my usual range and expanding my technique every time. Made me realize how much I miss teaching workshops and that is something I want to start doing again this year. Here's to a fun, creative and productive new year!