Lost in White Abstraction

“Women think of all colors except the absence of color. 

I have said that black has it all. 

White too. Their beauty is absolute. It is the perfect harmony.” 
― Coco Chanel, Chanel

Remember I left you at:

12 x 9 canvas

I liked messing around in the playground of white so I decided to return to this start of a collage.  In the abstract world of art there are certain recognized patterns of design that have proven to be basic to the balance of an abstract.  The cruciform is one of those and you can see it above in the off center cross made from crumpled tracing paper.

some patterns of abstract design

 I went on to finish it:

and before too much evaluation or judgement, I started another:

again, a 12 x 9 canvas

with some soft molding gel I added some texture

which is hard to see in this photo

and...calling it done.

I'm not sure how I feel about these...other than to say I am glad I dabbled.  I really prefer minimalist abstract art and there isn't much about me that is capable of producing "minimalist" anything.  

I don't really feel finished with this experiment and I'm not certain whether it is the lack of an identifiable subject, the absence of strong color or the idea that it doesn't have to "be" anything that appeals to me from an execution standpoint.  I don't think they represent Coco's "perfect harmony" but who knows?  I'm a little too close to really judge at the moment.  Guess I will run it up the flagpole, hold off on banishing them and see where it leads.  They are not secured in the frames so no commitment there.  Let me know what you think.  

Back to the Lab,

Cindy

a Painted Collage

Some of the various definitions of 'collage' 

include the words assemblage, 

collections, artistic composition of objects, a composite collection...

usually from differing materials all mounted together as one.

I don't do many collages but I have enjoyed what I call "painted collages," that is,  a gathering of objects (usually thematic) all painted on one surface which is made to look like several different surfaces.  Here are a few examples done over the years:

I have not done one recently but I always found it was a great challenge to combine painted pieces and parts in a way that they stood as many individual paintings yet still hung together as one.  Lots of mind tricks are involved.  A friend of mine who is preparing to teach asked if I would review my process so they might give it a try.  

If you have no intention of painting this then sign out here and have a great day!  If you are curious, stick around.

I start by taping off sections on a well gessoed board or canvas. (I like board as I will use pencil, but personal choice). Using transparent acrylics (made soupy with either water or medium) I put down a coat of color (start light) and let it dry.  Remove some of the painters tape and either put more pieces down in new spots or just proceed.  Using a slightly different transparent color, paint half or more of the board again.  Where you removed the tape you will still see a "divider" due to the difference in color.  Where colors overlap in your squares and rectangles you will see another color.  You could also mix a slightly less transparent color and force it to drip down the piece in several places.  Keep going. All of this is "play" with an eye to making some sections come forward and some recede.  As you work on laying down the background don't be too hesitant but work slowly as ideas for balance will occur to you. Pull off all the tape and let the piece dry.

Hopefully your colors were chosen with a subject in mind.  Gather up the images and begin deciding how to lay them out on the board.  Some might fit nicely in a "box," while others will defy the box and go over a "line."  Choose some to make large and others to minimize or only do part of.  At this point I begin working in pencil so that I can get the feel for sizes.  

I like to proceed in pencil and balance it off with white acrylic paint.  By spraying the pencil with a fixative (when you are certain you will not erase any more) you will get a stable image.  Other times I simply sketch an image loosely and then paint it on with acrylic paints.  Keep in mind that no one image is really complete until all are done....this is very much a matter of pushing and pulling elements as you flesh out the objects.

Remember that you are not obligated to protect or preserve any of your background if it morphs along with the painting.  And "painting out" a mistake (or something you did not like) often will enhance the background you have going.  Nothing is unable to be changed and nothing should feel too sacred.  

You are done when...you are done!  you will know!  and if three days later the painting begs for more, well, have at it.  If you prefer to finish off by using oils that is fine as well but I don't start with them as they take so long to dry.

I'm sure there is more to add to this....please experiment.

Collaging My Way,

Cindy