liking your own work

I worked on this piece this past weekend. It is a bit different than my usual style. I was trying to expand a little bit. I also show here some of the other "candidate compositions" with which I was experimenting. I thought maybe I would try to use more elements and make it a "grander" piece. But I ended-up liking the "stripped down" version the best (I think I am a "less is more" kind of guy, when it comes to collage composition... see previous posts about minimalist collage and the work of the likes of John Stezaker). Anyway, when I was finished with this piece, I found myself staring at it for a long time... and more than once. People have asked me at times "Do you like your own work?". My answer is consistently "Most of the time". The question is a bit odd, I think. I wouldn't be creating work that I didn't like, I don't think. I suppose I have created pieces that didn't really turn out the way I wanted; and that I ultimately did not like. Most of those pieces are long gone. But one of my artist friends has told me that once he finishes a piece, he doesn't really bother looking at it again. I find that a bit odd as well. I try to create pieces I like (love?). When I do create something I really like, I look at it often. I suppose at one level, I am a VERY fortunate artist; because it seems like the pieces that I create that I like the most, are also the ones that others like (and are likely to buy!). Anyway, to make a short story long; I REALLY like this piece. I find myself staring at it for prolonged periods of time. I'm kind of transfixed by it for some reason. I haven't a title for it yet; but because it resonates with me so strongly, I am considering referring to it as a "self-portrait". But it's not really a self-portrait, right? And I did not set-out to do a self-portrait; and it wasn't what I had in mind at any point during the creation. So I may play with the title a bit -- make it ambiguous. I think the title is going to be "An Artist's Soul-Portrait". That is, maybe I am not the artist whose self-portrait it is. And it's not just a "self" portrait, it's a "soul" portrait (to capture a bit more of the "spirituality" of the piece). Obviously, this composition has elicited something in me. That's cool.

instruments

Sometimes it's cool to see photos of fellow artists' studio/workspaces. While I was cleaning/organizing my space a bit last night, I decided to take this photo and thought some of you might enjoy it. I actually am missing my most fine scissors these days (they finally broke). The "bird" pair is just "okay"... not a real replacement. I am still looking for just the right pair for that level of cutting. And, as I have mentioned before in some post, I much prefer a single edge razor blade to an exact knife... I just feel like I have more fine control over the cut.

Artwork of Terry Graff

Here is some more COVID-related artwork I first came across on Facebook. These are acrylic on wood panel pieces created by Terry Graff. I love the rich imagery and saturated colors! I would love to curate an exhibit of COVID-related artwork at a gallery; but given the situation in which we now find ourselves, these blog entries will have to suffice for now.

"Savior"

This piece is actually the second biggest piece I have created. My work tends to be small scale, as I am an analog collagist and don't do anything digital or photo-enlarged. If you follow my blog, you are aware that I typically create what I call "surreal narrative" pieces rather than "mosaic-style", which also limits the dimensions of my work. I decided to try to expand the size of the work with this piece. It's not like it's large, by any means (it's 14" x 17"; 20" x 24" framed). I really enjoyed creating such a colorfully-saturated work as well.

flowers and a transfer

Here's a piece that is a bit more "decorative" than is typical for me. Once in a while, though, it's nice to work on something that is simply, "pretty". As some of you who do collage work are well aware, transfers can be a bit tricky to do... but I'm pretty pleased with how this one turned out. Every time I include a transfer element in one of my pieces, I am encouraged to do more. In this one, for example, I LOVE the way the transfer lets the subtlety of the underlying shading come through the linear pattern.

finished

Here is the finished piece (with vintage frame). Entitled "He couldn't seem to move on..."

Digital COVID piece

I cam across this beautiful piece on the Face Book site for Collage Artists of America. It was created by Steffi Smith and is entitled "Don't Touch Your Face"