This is the latest canvas that I've finished in my Calabrian Series. It's different to the previous ones in that the motif is boats rather than buildings. Also, there are more images than in the others, which made it very busy (not to mention the wild fabric) and much more challenging to integrate into a cohesive whole.
This is the state the painting was in when I arrived home from my trip out to BC. I'd been working on it just prior to my departure and wasn't quite sure whether or not it was finished. I rather liked it at this stage, but when I returned, I felt it was just a bit too "collagie" and not enough "painterly." Plus, it was just too different from the rest of the series.
This is where the composition began. See what I mean about "busy"?!
So with the completiton of this painting, I'm now back to Square 0 as I have no more fabric collages or photo transfers prepared. In fact, I was rather dismayed when I checked my fabric-scraps stash and discovered I'd radically cleaned it out before I left for Vancouver. What was I thinking? I admit, I'm having trouble getting back in the creative groove. It usually takes me a bit of time to get back in the "zone." As we're heading off to Montreal next week, I think I'd better content myself with just puttering in my studio.
Please bear with me!
I love the finished piece. You really got it! The dashes of what looks like white paint really unify it bringing everyone together!
ReplyDeleteYay! Thanks, Patricia. I'm so grateful for that vote of confidence! I often doubt my instincts so it's good to receive positive reinforcement.
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne! Yes, I think you could definitely say it's a wrap! I like the way the boats jut out at the viewer, plus I like how the silvery strips and pieces give it that water/lake/marina feel.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't find a comment place on the other blog. I wanted to tell you how great the video was with all the Nash Ramblers in it and getting to hear the song! The painting must truly be a nostalgic piece to so many people. You were so cute! And your whole family! Bon voyage a Montreal! xxox
Hi Margaret,
ReplyDeleteGreat that you came over to the studio. Thanks for your comments on the boat painting. I like that you got a marina feel from it.
Too bad you couldn't leave a comment over at Decollete. I must have been futzing with it at the time (is "futzing" a word? It's a combination of fussing and putzing. Is putzing a word?) The White Spot painting on that posting captures exactly what the place was like--it was my favourite one because of the mural they had painted on a billboard. While we sat in the car and ate our food, it was as if we were gazing out at a beautiful vista.
I was kinda cute, wasn't I? Thanks, Margaret!
I just noticed your fabricat - what an adorable furball. :)
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I'm curioius how do you transfer photographs onto fabric?
And I definitely prefer the whitey paint, brings it all together and reminds me of sea foam.
Hi J:
ReplyDeleteThat little furball is Tasha. She looks like a kitten but is 16 years old.
Thanks for the positive vote for the sea foam effect! It wasn't a conscious decision; more like a gut instinct, so I'm glad it made sense in the end.
The way I've been doing my photo transfers is by printing(inkjet printer) a reverse image of my photo onto a transparency (as the ones used for overhead projectors; avlbl. at office supply shops. Don't get quick dry.) Then smearing a layer (like mayonnaise) of Golden acrylic matte gel medium onto a piece of muslin that's larger than the photo. Next, place the transparency ink-side down into the wet medium on the fabric, and burnish it with the back of a spoon, starting from the centre and moving in circles outwards. Gently peel away the transparency et voilà--photo on fabric.
Just beautiful. love the colors and the way you meld the collage and painterly. Thanks for the photo transfer info. I have tried innumerable times to do photo transfers. Usually they dont work. i just watched a You tube video where someone used, not transparency paper, but similar clear transfer paper. She then just peeled off the transfer paper and had the image beautifully done. I must try that!
ReplyDeleteHi Suki,
ReplyDeleteThanks for adding your vote of confidence here! Every bit helps, esp. as I'm having trouble getting back into the groove.
I've had pretty good success with this transfer method, but may have to try others as the brand of transparencies I've been using is no longer being made and the available brands are rather expensive for my budget. There are all sorts of new digital "papers" (incl. canvas, silk, etc.) out there that are good for printing photos on to use in collage or sewing. All a bit pricey, too.
I've tried transfering a print from paper to cloth, using the matte gel method, and it works but usually comes out a bit chalky as the paper has to be rewet and scrubbed away, leaving residue.
I guess experimentation is the way to proceed. I think there's scads of info on the net to delve into.
Its amazing
ReplyDeleteI love the bleu colors
its unique :-)
Thank you, Anya. I'm happy it pleases you. Thanks for coming all this way to visit my studio today.
ReplyDeletethe finished piece has mystery and ambiguity and invites one to explore the layers, really nice work and a pleasure to stop by and explore.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful piece! I love how the finished piece only hints at the subject matter.
ReplyDeleteJafabrit: Thanks! "Mystery and ambiguity" are wonderful words to have applied to one's work.
ReplyDeleteI like poking my nose in over at your place, too!
Hi Robin: Hinting at the subject matter rather than hitting the viewer smack dab in the eyeballs with it is what I was aimig for so I'm very happy to hear that it worked! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHow fascinating to follow your works in progress and to read about your thought process !
ReplyDeleteRe your comment in Avignon yesterday "I absolutely LOVE that close-up of the girl and her instrument; and the way her head is framed within the circle of the sousaphone, showing the other musician's fingers on the keys; the pattern of the striped shirt, the texture of the wall--all of it! Fabulous. That is a photo I would frame and put up on my wall", thanks for the compliment. I am truly honoured!
Great finished piece! I liked the photos of your process. In the winter, I am drawn to my sewing machine and all things fabric so your work is inspirational for sure.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great trip to Montreal and your studio puttering develops into new work!
Mary Ann
Wow, it is so nice to see the stages and how you turned this art into some etheral dreamy place that looks like you could dive into and curl up in.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your loving and warm comment. I still feel in a happy dreamy state myself today, just soking in just how blessed we are not haivng to worry about Abi's future.
Hope you get lots of inspiration while in Montreal. So when you come back you are full of zeal for your new creations.
Hugz!
Julie
Nathalie, Bienvenue!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by my studio. It's a good thing I censor my thought process a bit here! Actually, the good thing about working this way is that it's more about instinct and less about mind.
I always enjoy looking at your Avignon photos but that one of the musician really grabbed me. Every word I said was true--no exaggeration whatsoever. Beautiful!
Blue Sky,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you like the finished piece. Every vote of confidence helps shore up my own.
I'm happy if I provide a bit of inspiration for you. I enjoy looking at your work as well!
Fabrics are just so seductive, and playing with them so much fun. I am less enthralled with sewing, though. It seems a necessary evil. I am the most primitive type of "seamstress" imaginable! My sewing projects have to be far apart so that I forget what a struggle it really is for me. And yet I inevitably return...
Hi Julie-anne,
ReplyDeleteNo wonder you are still floating on a cloud of happiness after that wonderful news you got yesterday! What is more precious to a mother than her children?
I love your description of this piece being so ethereal and dreamy you could just dive into it. Thanks so much!
As you say, hopefully my trip to Montreal will fill me with the zest I need to go on with this project upon my return.