Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Colour burst

During the Open Studios back in August I did some demonstrating of large pen italics, layering letters over each other and creating a pattern.

I am finding myself drawn more and more to lettering as pattern - the indecipherable nature of the letters or words; the mystery contained within and the beautiful layout or design they create.  When letters appear like this, they don't immediately engage my left brain and make me want to read them left to right and interpret or decipher them. I am more likely to respond to the image, and then go in and see if I can make some other sort of sense out of them.

The 'reading' of them becomes secondary to the design, whereas with straight calligraphy, the reading is often the primary element and purpose.

When I have been able to grab a free moment here and there for the studio, I have found it really relaxing to go back to that sheet of letters, and fill in the negative spaces with watercolour pencils and watercolour.

It's like a jumble of colour, a kaleidoscope, a starburst of confetti.

I also love the pen-strokes where the ink didn't go all the way thru; the wash-outs or bleed-outs.

I don't know how I will use this - whether I will cut it up into smaller pieces, whether I will do some fine lettering over the top, or whether I'll over print it with some negative spaces leaving the colour coming thru? Who knows...but it's been a delightful and relaxing way to do something creative when I haven't had time for a real piece of work.






12 comments:

  1. I love the close up crop shots of this piece. Gestural musical sighing.

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  2. Oooh! Love the movement, mystery and hint of a good story in this piece. Especially love the detail shots. Any chance you can enlarge those?

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  3. Hi Annie - it's so nice to see gestural marks isn't it, they sing to me.

    Thanks Jennifer, glad you like! I'm not sure what my capacity for enlargement is....will check when we get home (work-work in Sydney this week).go well

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  4. Fiona, these are wonderful! Modern, ancient, mysterious, approachable and I love the bright colors.

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  5. Fiona, if you don't already know of his work, check out Spanish poet, painter and graphic artist Rafael Alberti, particularly his Lirismo dell'alfabeto, a series in which he plays with letters and pattern in a spirit very similar to yours. Definitely worth a Google.

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  6. So many intimate little arrangements of shapes and marks to be found.. a most appealing concept Fiona.

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  7. these marks are beautiful and strong--lush--i like them!

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  8. Thanks Jane, I occasionally go vibrate and love it! You're right about the mysteriousness of them and I'm glad you think they are approachable as well!

    G/TT thanks so much for that tip; I shall head off in search of soon. So great to learn of other fellow travelers, from other fellow travelers! Go well.

    Thanks Jo , there are so many interesting tid bits aren't there?

    Ooh Velma, lush is a lovely word! Glad they appeal on that level.

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  9. Fiona....love this....the trace of the movement of the hand is beautiful....like a dance!

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  10. Hi Patti - you're right there is a musicality, rhythm, movement thing going on here for sure. Glad you love it - its been fun to play.

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  11. Love! The images practically jumped out of my monitor. I agree - the penstrokes, where the ink hasn't carried through - are beautiful!

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  12. Thanks Jane - I really like the vibrancy as well. My dad came into the studio the other day and just went straight for it - "I like that"!

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.