Painting is a shape language. Using stories as a foundation for play.
A snapshot of pieces from this week.
“Every line, area, tone, value, texture, in fact every effect produced in any way, including even the pressure of the brush should be considered as a compositional or constructive element.” -Robert Henri
This week’s series of experim … I mean paintings - were built upon a foundation of escapism.
As children, we use toys as symbols to open gateways into imagination and play. I also remember learning from encyclopedias and using that knowledge to spin new stories about what the world is like. And to this day, I love learning about myth, magic and ancient stories.
But the stories and symbols are only a vehicle to fuel the real play that happens on top of the canvas. And by play, I mean the way in which each brushstroke is applied, how the shapes lock into one another and the construction of form. The technical application of paint is similar to body language. How the works are built also conveys meaning.
You can click through these studies to read about some of the thought process behind them.
I also made a simple abstracted painting that will serve as a backdrop for my classroom studio’s storage wall. I have this idea that it’ll be a starter scene that my students can add their mark to over time. Click here to see the makings of this 8’x16’ piece! :)