BB#287 Starting New Again
It’s the end of the year - the end of the decade - this is the time when I pause, reflect and clean out the studio. I organize and edit anything that does not serve me for the new year. This purging gets me thinking about setting new goals and getting excited about creating new work.
My mind is generally ready for new ideas and finds inspiration while going through accumulated scraps of paper, empty paint tubes and dead brushes. While cleaning up, I find myself creating impromptu collages, then painting. Some may call this distraction, or even procrastination… I call it percolating! I am going with the flow, and before I know it, I just started a new body of work.
My intention for the new year is to experiment deeper with abstract painting and collage. Repurposing seems to be a popular word for artists these days, and that’s what I am doing with my ever-growing pile of paper scraps.
This blast is a brief studio tour of my working spaces, materials and how I produce the new work for my upcoming workshops.
My new work is a series of 11x11 inch abstract images on 300 lb CP Watercolor Paper. This is what I am doing:
Step One - Start off with gessoing a full sheet of watercolor paper. One side only.
Step Two - Divide the paper into two 15x15 inch pieces (the leftover paper is used for smaller paintings)
Step Three - After the gesso has dried, I use my 15x15 inch template and mark off the painting dimensions, which includes a 2 inch border. For reference, watch the video and see photo for template.
Step Four - Mask the borders with 2 inch wide white Artist’s Tape for a somewhat clean edge.
Step Five - Paint and Collage.
Step Six - Repeat often.
When the paint has dried, remove the tape and varnish the painting. I am using a satin varnish for these.
Final Step - I sign my name.
To start a new year, start a new approach!
0 Comments