Wednesday, August 4, 2010

2 pages...

I decided to cut out the girls I drew from my bulletin, collage them in and add some color. After I added the color later I decided I liked them better just with the pencil sketch. I drew them very fast. I really thought I was nearning the end of this little journal but the blank pages just keep coming. Below is more of my backgound paper that didn't work as well--just a few small parts worked.
Ok, well, the colors are pretty good but this little piece is about all that I could redeem on this fairly large piece. I didn't throw it away and at least it wasn't a dead bug this time. Oh Pat Dews, come and save me from this dreadful art I am creating! I admire her even more after I see how hard good abstract is to create. I am realizing that I probably know nothing about the principles and elements of design and thinking about it...well, it makes me feel like I did when I was having to prove theorems in school---overwhelmed and more overwhelmed. Hopefully after creating art for so many years I do that intuitively--but sometimes I am not so sure. I think it's all good I am feeling this way because in 5 days I will be off to IAMPETH and back to my roots.

14 comments:

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

Connecting to your roots will be a good thing for you I'm sure, we all have to remind ourselves what the foundation is for our art in order not to get lost in other methods. Elements & principles of design, I think that's the most misunderstood thing about abstract. We see what Jonas does and forget he spent years developing that intuitive sense of good design so it just flows out of him now. I do know that when I get stuck, I can often find what's wrong by looking at my design basics, course it doesn't mean I have the skill set to fix it though! That I'm still learning :-) But I don't mind 'being bad' on the road to getting good!

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

PS: for a dead bug those are fab pages and the colours are so deep and intense I love them. Did you use inks and acrylics?

Mary said...

You know I have been looking at my art and thinking it's really all crap!! Thoughts like, who are you to be creating art, you have no training, no real talent, blah, blah, blah, blah!! I am trying to not listen to those voices, but they can be so discouraging and defeating at times!!!

I love your church girls on that journal page, I'm glad you used them. As for your "dead bug" portion, I really like it, love the pop of lime green on the deep purple. Did you use your sprays?? I would think it difficult to do an abstract with sprays, you cannot really go over them with more spray without them eventually getting muddy.....paints, especially heavy body you can just cover areas you do not like, at least that is what I have found.

jgr said...

Your church girls are fantastic! I especially like how the text is mingling in with the portraits. Also your abstract page is great. The color is wonderful!

Sue K said...

Martha..we are our own worst critics you know. In your eye, you see what you did wrong, but others admire your work and see something totally different. Don't be so hard on yourself. I think your work is wonderful and from what I read here, many other do too.
I love your adstracts lately and your church ladies are awesome. I love the print showing through too. It really adds something to the page!
What is it that you will be going to? Is it a calligraphy seminar?

elena nuez said...

Martha i love your work!!!

DJ said...

My sweet friend, take another look at all the beauty you've been producing and sharing:
your whimsical journals
the oils
calligraphy on designs (abstract)
collages
spontaneous sketches
You're a treasure-trove of beauty. Don't let anyone tell you differently. (That "anyone" may be trying to damage your confidence so you won't be effective for Him.)
Check out that verse again and read back a couple of sentences. That "anyone" is always on the prowl. Keep your eye on the Prize and prepare your heart for this convention; the fields are white unto harvest.

Bren Graham Thebeau said...

I'm so glad to know you got the skyflow, I'm planning on investing as well, it looks like flowing silk to work with :-) Oh and I agree with the 1/2 size sheet, especially while I'm learning!

Kelly Warren said...

I love your church girls, Martha, and the fact that they are listening and thinking hard about what they are listening to. i like the color too! i bounces of the type really nicely! i think your concept of design is very strong. that's my biggest struggle and i get tons of inspiration from talented artists like you. :-)

Nancy said...

Martha, I understand wanting to be pleased with your work but I think you are forgetting all the wonderful art work you been doing forever and remember that this is new territory....plus some people understand about the elements in abstract art but gals like me who don't, love your work and you bring us joy in what you paint.....You have been such a huge encouragement to me with my art and I know NOTHING absolutely NOTHING but I am having fun.....and I am learning....
Sometimes, I feel so bad that someone as talented as you would even see my "mess" but you are always sweet and encouraging....Just trying to say, don't be so hard on yourself.....I love your work...including these church girls....and I am thankful for you....

I hope you have a wonderful time with your group....

Buffy said...

Don't listen to those voices,your art is beautiful,love the green in it,also love the church girls. Thats funny that you'll be in orlando next week,I'm in orlando now,just haveing alittle family vacation!

Kate said...

Have a great time at IAMPETH! I have a friend who goes every year and brings back so many ideas and much inspiration.

GlorV1 said...

I love your art. Your church girls are just awesome. Thanks for sharing.

C. said...

I didn't see your church girls as pencil sketces but I can tell you I was scrolling through the updated blogs and zoomed right in on them and had to come check them out. What ever you see in them- I only see beautiful art.

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