Sunday, July 13, 2014

Continuing on

Or pushing through. Or sticking at it. Or sitting down and doing it. Or some such.

I often find after I have been to a workshop that I unpack, put things back where they belong; tie all the paper up in a bundle and pop it in a drawer for future reference.

I know now that if I do that, I won't dive back into that drawer and spend time playing or pushing through with some practice, so this time I left some pages out. Set up a workstation and made sure I had all the things I needed, to keep on going. To keep working on the two pieces I had been fiddling with in Melbourne and to see if I could finish them. To see if I could keep applying the learnings, and consolidate them a bit.

I am so glad that I did!

This piece appeared irredeemable in Melbourne - I had created too much ugly white space; I had made the design centred, not off to the side...there were so many things wrong with it.  But like an abandoned puppy I kept being nice to it, found something to love about it and persisted.


Some details of the design and the writing.




I also finished this piece. With a few mis-steps along the way. I wrote out the line of red onto tracing paper; placed it where I wanted it and then started the proper writing at the right spot. But, my hand loosened up and my spacing between my letters widened and the line ended up longer than I wanted, and that meant it looked in the middle again and not off to the side! I was not happy with myself; but one thing I learned from Laurent is that it is always possible to do SOMETHING.


So after much pondering, I added two letters to the beginning of the line, and the two little diamonds and I think that brought it back into dynamic balance a bit.

More details.



I really felt that I was in the rhythm with these pieces, picking them up looking at a space that needed something. Doing  it. Leaving it alone for a bit. Moving onto the other piece, returning with fresh eyes and fresh thoughts.

In doing so, I kept hearing Laurent's' voice and his reminders and what I think are his mantras.  I kept applying them even!  In my own way...

What surprised me was that I have produced work well outside my normal range; yet with some sense of integrity and wholeness.

I have used walnut ink, sumo ink, red gouache and my ink and walnut ink rinse water for these pieces.  Would love to try some different colours next.

18 comments:

  1. I really love what you're doing at the moment, so much freer and the colours work well.
    Diane.

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    1. Thanks Diane - it is certainly different to my usual quiet quiet work!

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  2. Amazing work Fiona. The right process, the right thought patterns and a brilliant couple of outcomes. Love them! x g

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    1. Thanks so much Gemma - It was good to add in the cerebral commitment to the process this time, and then let the other side take over at times...will see where this leads me.

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  3. fiona, i really do like these, the first is my favorite because of all the movement grounded by that delicious horizon. well done on both!

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    1. There is certainly a lot of movement going on there Velma - I've never been one for curves so it amazes me in a way. It's interesting to see how far a good teacher can push you...go well.

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  4. I am loving this Fiona. It's so very different to see you work in this way and although you are saying you are having to work at it, I must say it looks intuitive and stylish. Keep going. These are magical.

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    1. Thanks Lesley! I will need to have another go to see if I still have it in me or if it disappears after a certain amount of time - like a use-by date! It is always fun to explore in a safe environment I think. Glad you enjoyed them.

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  5. These are both beautiful, dynamic pieces. I lean a bit toward the first as a favorite, because of that flowing red line and overall contrast in the piece. Wonderful work!

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    1. Thanks Sharmon - the red is a wonderful bunch of curves and curls (and words!). Go well.

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  6. Absolutely wonderful, Fiona, both beautiful though the red in the first just sings out to me! What a success!

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    1. Glad you enjoyed them Carol - that red swirl is very dashing isn't it?

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  7. These are beautiful Fiona, especially the top one. i love these colours....I really have to buy some walnut ink.

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    1. It is delicious to play with Amanda and it does incredible things I think!

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  8. Wow! - these pieces both possess a lot of magic. Even if you were charting new territory for yourself, I agree that you did a beautiful job in giving them a sense of wholeness & integrity. I am especially drawn to the second piece - I find the overall effect of the composition to be very appealing. They both have a lot of "movement," which I also like. What a great exploration!

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  9. Thanks Lisa - I am yet to go back and experiment more, but i am happy i followed through with these. I think I will remember the many mantras from Laurent tho and be able to apply them in different places. Movement is great - Dynamic was one mantra so I had to let go of balance and quiet and ....

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