Encouraged by a recent Thursday session I set out on a mission to make, make, make. I've been wanting to build some scenes with a central theme of brotherhood and love, so what better time. Colour has always been a carefully considered element in my portraits but I wanted to go to town with lavishly layered landscapes instead of my usual plain backgrounds.
I've found that the process of making often gives birth to ideas for future collages. Sometimes I'll take down some notes or draft very vey rough "sketches" on the iPad. Although I describe myself as a visual artist I don't pride myself with the ability to visualise a scene in my head, I need something laid out in front of me.
Some pieces demand more time than others, it really depends on the process I'm adopting; I'll often (for example) create the backdrop with the same amount of detail as I would the subject, and occasionally I'll simply download a ready-made background, or use solid colours. I almost always work on several pieces at the same time, I find that this helps to unify the images if I'm working on a series.
Possibly my biggest fault is over-working my projects; I'm constantly critiquing my work, always thinking that it's lacking something. Eventually I reach a stage where I have to force myself to step away. I wonder if this is something artists in other disciplines experience?
Some projects never see the light of day, they remain a few lines scribbled in a notebook, but I'm okay with that. Having notes and ideas is one side of the coin, you also need the motivation in order for a vision can be recognised. I tend to allow external forces and internal emotions get in the way of the making process. Some make their best work when troubled, I make none, I recognise this and endeavour to find stratergies that help me to push through the fog.
On the whole when I look back through my catalogue I am proud of the direction my practice is taking, I feel that there has been a level of development fuelled by research and experience. I feel more confident about the areas I choose to illustrate and more focussed in terms of where I place myself and my work within the arts arena.
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