Art at Stone Lake

Working in Series: Scale

For the next assignment, we were challenged to work wth variations in scale.  I chose to dramatically increase the size of the letters in the first pieces. 

First, here are the two Journal exercises--I am so pleased that I slowed down enough to make 2!  Both are done using spray paints--one of my favorite mediums.  I used a limited palette that echoed some of the colors from the foundation piece.  The large letter stencils were created by me using Word and cut out by hand.

Here's number 1:

I only used a tiny bit of fancy stenciling in the upper right corner.

Then, here's number 2:

 I played wth Large scale letters (R, X), and then used the commercial stencil in the background to create smale scale letters and symbols. 

 

Finally, I made an artquilt working with scale and color.  Big letters--I find that I am intrigued by the effect.  I also painted some of the letters in colors as well as in black.  Acrylic paints and Spray paints.

TWO CLOSEUPS:

 

 

Working in Series: Color and Value

During this workshop, I decided to do studies each week in my journal. This is a sharp contrast to the way I usually work, which is to think a bit, maybe sketch out a general idea and then go straight to the design wall or the paint palette.

In this Assignment, I am exploring color.  I realized that in my Letters series, I usually default to creating the letters in black paint.  In my sketchbook, I used watercolors and experimented wth differnt pairings.  I deliberately chose not to pull out the color wheel.  I wanted to see what my eye would find through experiment.

I also played with the fact that letters create words by creating 3 new English words.  I don't thnk they exist...smile....

 

 

COLOR AND VARIATION:  Also, I did a Journaling page. First I floated watercolors and allowed them to blend by spraying the paper. (Wet on wet technique).  Then I wrote some thoughts about words and created stencil letters by hand.  Usually in my earlier work, I used commercial stencils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Material Girls: African American Women Artists Explore!

I saw a mind-blowing exhibit a few days ago while I was in Baltimore.  It's called Materials Girls and features the work of 8 contemporary women artists.  These women all explore the use of three dimensionality, uncommon materials and processes.  Each has such a unique artistic voice, and yet the exhibit hangs together because it is built on the central idea of non-conventional use of everyday manmade and natural materials.

It's up until mid-October so you have time to see it if you're in the Baltimore area.

The Artists:

Maya Freelon Asante (Baltimore, MD)
Chakaia Booker (New York, NY)
Sonya Clark (Richmond, VA)
Torkwase Dyson (Brooklyn, NY)
Maren Hassinger (Baltimore, MD)
Martha Jackson Jarvis (Washington, DC)
Joyce J. Scott (Baltimore, MD)
Renée Stout (Washington, DC)

Here's the link to the website with all the information

Material Girls

Here't the link to the Reginal Lewis Museum in Baltimore for general information.  The Museum has other very interesting exhibits in addition to Material Girls.

Lewis Museum Site

 

Working In A Series

Hi,

 

I recetnly signed up for a wonderful virtual workshop with Lisa Call.

Lisa Call Website

I'm finding that this is a wonderful experience for me.  I have started several series (meaning making multiple works using a similar theme or design elements).  But, I tend to make 2 or 3 and then drop it.

There is a lot to be learned by working in a series--really exploring a set of ideas to see what variation and repetition can teach us.  I'll be posting some of the results here and you can follow along.

Working in a series means starting with a work that I call the Foundation.  For me, this series is founded on one of my 26 Letters pieces shown right here.

 In my next posts, I will share some of the examples from each workshop class.

 

 

 

 

New Documentary: Why Quilts Matter

YAHOO!!!!

PBS has issued a new documentary titled: Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics.  It is a 9 part series that will air this fall.  However, you don’t have to wait.  The series is available for immediate purchase. I’m very excited about this series because it spans the centuries, with a clear balance that honors  traditional quiltmaking while featuring contemporary quilt artists as well. 

 In addition, unlike many other  documentaries about the textile arts, this one includes African American quilt artists and scholars!!  

 Here’s the link if you want to find out more and purchase it:

 http://www.whyquiltsmatter.org/welcome/about/the-series/