Thursday, May 8, 2014

12-Month Plan

It's been suggested to me that I try sequestering myself in my studio for 12 to 18 months and focus on working on one series. I very much want gallery representation, and having a consistent body of work to show a gallerist would be a big step in that direction. Also, the discipline needed to create in a series for such a long period would be good for me. The advice seems sound.

On June 21, 2012, I posted my last blog update from my old studio. Before we were relocated and I was forced to pack up my studio, I had just begun hitting my stride with Stacked Journaling. The creative spirit was really flowing through me and I knew that the technique had so much more in store for me. I was excited for the future and the time I knew I'd spend exploring my new technique. And then suddenly, I had nowhere to create. My studio went into storage in boxes, my life was put on hold until the new house was built and I could recreate my studio, and I idled. During those very long, painful months, Stacked Journaling left me. It flitted away like a ghost and I couldn't seem to resurrect it back to life for any pleading in the world.

Now, finally, the shock to my psyche that the move produced has worn off, and once again, I'm finding my groove. It's the perfect time to dedicate myself to my own little innovation, and allow it once more to lead me into unexplored territory.

In that spirit I am making a public promise to myself (I'm much more likely to follow through on it if I share it with others!) that for the next 12 months, the bulk of my studio time will be dedicated to finding new directions for Stacked Journaling. Does this mean I'll never do anything else, never try anything new outside of SJ, put away my art journals, my stamps, and my gelli plate and become boring, old, Stacked Journaling Lady 24/7? Not hardly.

But I'm going to try to follow the excellent advice I've been given as closely as I can. So here's some eye candy from this weeks' work in the studio.

 
(24"x30" acrylic on flat panel)

I've been experimenting with just about anything I can lay my hands on: cradled panels, uncradled panels, sheets of water color paper, copy paper, bits of fabric- all the stuff I have laying around, waiting to be finished.

I invested in some empty markers in various sizes and with different tips, from chiseled to round, and some hi-flow fluid acrylic paints to go in them. Where have these markers been all my life?

 

They are refillable, and with the low viscosity of Golden's new line of hi-flow fluids, allow me to use high quality paints with my Stacked Journaling technique. I've been particularly interested lately in highlighting the negative spaces created by stacking my handwriting. These pens, with their narrow, round tips, allow me to do that and achieve very fine detail.

Here is another experiment with that variation of SJ, on top of a very simply painted background.

(24"x30" acrylic on flat panel)

I've also been working back into pieces that have some monoprinted Stacked Journaling on them.

(24"x30" acrylic on cradled panel)

This is new, yet familiar, territory for me. SJ has been a comfort, a revelation, and a go-to for me for a while but I am excited to see where it leads me next!

In the meantime, happy creating!

7 comments:

Kathy said...

This promise to yourself is some of the best news I've heard from you! You are an incredible artist with a unique series that needs some dedicated time. There should be no question of gallery representation with what you are producing. Can't wait to see how you progress!

elle said...

glad you are back and committed to SJing!

Penny Schine Gold said...

I love the stacked journaling, and look forward to seeing the directions you take with it.

The empty markers look really useful. Do you think they would work with thickened dye? I assume you can wash them out and use a different color, yes? Is there a particular brand you prefer? Any info appreciated.

Wendy Watson said...

DO IT! I'll be outside the studio door waiting to see what you come up with. Love your style, love the colours you put together. And not that they're available in New Zealand, I think I need some of those empty markers . . . do they dry up? Do you have to clean them out after each use or will they last a few day before you need to do that?

Jeannie said...

Yea, You!!! Committing yourself to your art is the best gift you can give yourself. I love how your paintings glow. They really invite the viewer to look closely and then closer yet. I love when art creates that urge in me. Thanks for the review on the markers. I have seen them and wondered how they worked. I have the same questions as everyone above. :) Have fun!!!!

Win Dinn, Artist said...

Great idea to commit yourself publicly to your project, and obviously the results will be as amazing as your committment. Love these paintings!

Fibre frenzi said...

I've just read your blog for the first time.....and it's almost as if you're speaking to me!! I too have recently had to relocate, and am at last feeling settled and in creative mode. But I feel as though I am at a crossroads and the idea of committing myself for a period of time to a body of work (preferably to exhibit) is calling to me. Up 'til now I have created mainly for selling I now want, at least for a time, to give myself a holiday from that and go deeper into myself. Thank you so much for the inspiration - I think I shall have to go publicly on my blog! Alison