What a thrill it is to see faces, figures and forms come to life on a substrate!
How I work in the studio…
It’s taken a lifetime to come to this point and there have been many twists and turns along the way. I remember the exact moment, when I was looking out at the Atlantic Ocean from a hilltop and the sun was high and bright in the sky, that I discovered “my style” - the elusive goal of so many creatives. But I can tell you that moment took my breath away and opened up doors for my creative process. It was truly a personal and profound experience, and I am grateful for that “ah-ha” moment!
I’ve been influenced by all the art classes I’ve ever taken, all the artworks I’ve seen in person or read about in books, and all my life experiences epic and otherwise. It all makes a difference and contributes to a “style” that’s yours and yours alone. I believe everyone can find their style…it’s in you, and always has been! I’m sharing with you my process because I don’t like to keep secrets…and if it can help you, then my art journey is even more important than I thought!
Bits and Pieces
I work in a piecemeal fashion. One day it might be a flurry of faces, the next day in might be a gel printing plate extravaganza, and still on another day, marking making is at the forefront. Whatever the day is, it’s always about taking that blank substrate and filling it with meaning. Expressions, color, pattern, textures, layers, and more, swirl around my brain and end up on the papers and pages before me.
Order in the Studio
I love to review my bits and pieces and try to establish a loose sense of order. Some faces lend themselves to be the sole focal point. Other figures need a friend or two to convey meaning. Some faces will become a series in an emotional pose. Some faces will have to wait their turn. The same is true of my handcrafted collage papers. Color tends to be a unifying factor, but not always. Oftentimes its the marks I make or the similar patterns that make sense to me. Sorting and grouping allows me to get a sense of purpose that can help my artwork take shape.
Where to Begin
Now, that’s the most challenging part with no real answer. It depends on what I’m feeling in that moment, what I want to bring forth in the piece, and who’s story is going to get told. Backgrounds can inspire me as I get the “feel” of the piece, faces call out to me to “pick” them to share their journey, and college pieces “plead” to be added to grace the form of a figure. There’s always a lot of chatter in the beginning of a piece. It seems that it all collides and swirls around, both in my mind and on the page as things start to take shape.
The Cobble
It never fails for there’s a push and pull, an adding and subtracting of color and elements in my artistic “dance” at this stage. I can never tell if I’ll work from the outside in or from the inside out. It is lovely to be able to not be beholding to a specific pattern and allow for a more organic feel to occur. There is quite a bit freedom in this give and take, and I affectionately call it “the cobble.” I do have a plan, but I know all too well that plans can change and I am ready to go with the flow.
Happy, but Not Finished
I oftentimes work in multiples that may or may not be related. And I believe in the power of a good night’s rest for my health and the health of my art. I let my faces, forms and figures flourish in their new environment and revisit them in the days or weeks that follow. The one that calls the loudest to me returns to my art table and continues to grow in both huge and subtle ways.
Details and Distinction
This last step is so important! This piece is about to go out into the world. Am I ready to let it go? How will it fair? What will the viewer think? How do I feel letting my art free? The final touches are those things that solidify the art and the story of a journey living it’s truth on a page for just that moment in time.