Title: "Marks"
Media: Pen & Ink, Acrylic Paint
Date: July 2011
This piece is approximately 11"x14" and was a housewarming gift for a friend. I incorporated some colors that are visible in the home with some variation in their shades. When I was thinking through the idea of this piece, I first thought I would use more of a collage technique with some 'hodge podge' techniques on the background by using gel medium and speciality papers. However, when I finally began the art-making process, I started 'printing.' I used found objects to apply paint in specific places and in particular shapes to create the grid. Each time I printed a block, I used a slightly different amount of paint and different amounts of force, which helped to create the texture and negative spaces. I used open and closed shapes to create implied texture seen as shapes, dots and lines that touch and overlap. Finally, I added some details in the negative space, (words and drawn textures,) which reflect interests of my friend as well as thoughts and concepts associated with faith and a peaceful home. While you may see a 'collage' of shapes and colors, this piece is actually not a collage at all, in the strictest sense, but a non-objective composition created with printing techniques.
