Some weeks, productive time in the studio yields a nice pile of completed work. “Here it is. See?”
This was a different kind of week. I’m working on a number of projects, each coming along at a different stage. And what I have is a nice pile of work-in-progress that requires some envisioning to see where it will go.
Like this one
This is not a new experiment in minimalism. It will be a fabric collage. But the prep of the work surface takes time and is an accomplishment when done. This white fabric has been stretched from the middle out (Like stretching a paintng canvas) and taped down to my moveable easel, a large sheet of thin plywood. Then gessoed with some paint primer. Without this step, the first application of glue would be an episode of wrinkles-she-wrote.
Here’s a layer of sheer fabric monotype printed for a whole cloth background. It is getting collaged to the white taped-down-prepped fabric. It also requires some envisioning. It’s neutral to the point of blah so far. More layers are coming!
For another project-in-progress, here’s a nice little rowboat drying on the floor.
It is a transfer from my office black image laser printer. I’ll be painting in color and collaging it into an abstract landscape.
I took time for a little nature outing to gather images and supplies. We’ve had nice rains so I knew the roadside ditches nearby would yield some good reflections. Aren’t these great?
And how beautiful these are to me.
Pine needles are a great way to create textured images in monotype printing with a gelatin plate, or direct overpainting. These simple natural elements can create patterns like this:
I was happy to gather a new batch of needles while I was out on my nature excursion. (Voice-of-experience hint: In Florida, these can be filled with teeny tiny chiggers and no-see-ums that bite like crazy. I wash the needles and dip in a mild bleach solution before storing them for future use.)
Finally I ended the week with some painting experimentation that has some pleasing colors to look at.
Even this, though, is just a background layer. More to come!
For all the artmakers: Happy creating
For all the art lovers: Happy appreciating
Thank you for reading. I always enjoy questions and comments.
--Bobbi
bobbi@bobbibaughstudio.com
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