Friday, November 2, 2012

Process and Growth

Less is more... that is my current mantra. Right now I have time to explore and develop encaustic technique and although painting representational landscapes has been my "happy place" with art for many years, I am shifting focus. My goal is to use minimal, essential lines and marks that make an impression and tell a story. This goal started nagging at me when I viewed Robert Motherwell's exhibit at the Cape Cod Art Institute this summer. Then I was sidetracked and fell into developing new techniques I learned this summer (building up layers of colored wax, then scraping and shaping down layers) which led to the Outback Series.

"Cave Dwellers" was created by layering and fusing wax with the addition of pigments and oil pastel.

"Cave Dwellers"

 

Primitive art continues to be a strong influence on me but mostly I just want to follow my heart and make essential marks that convey a story.

I have been following a private facebook group of encaustic artists. I rarely post in the group but have learned an incredible amount of information from everyone. I don't agree with some of what people are sharing but I have been exposed to such a diverse group of artists, it's almost like taking a class!

Below, 2 recent encaustic demo paintings, done at the same time with the same color palette using different techniques, neither of these pieces follows my "less is more" mantra, but I am working toward breaking a habit and it will take time.



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8 comments:

  1. padmajaNovember 2, 2012 at 11:58 PM

    While these demo works makes mind to contemplate, your "less is more' mantra work puts my contemplating mind towards calmness and rest. Enjoying your process and growth, Robin!

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    1. RobinNovember 3, 2012 at 9:01 AM

      I am a bit confused right now and am counting on my creative process to take me into the calm. Although it's exciting entering a new place. Thank you for understanding, padmaja.

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  2. Autumn LeavesNovember 3, 2012 at 6:05 AM

    I could swear I've seen these bottom two pieces before and posted a comment. (I must be losing my marbles!) At any rate I really love both of the last two pieces especially, the middle piece in particular. I think it is so beautiful, Robin.

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    1. RobinNovember 3, 2012 at 9:11 AM

      That's because you did see the bottom 2 pieces in an earlier post this week, Sherry. But I decided to delete the post and it took me a few more days to understand what was happening with my art direction and I wanted my blog to better explain the process. I appreciate your love of representational landscape and hope you will find a way to relate to these new abstract works.

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  3. hw (hallie) farberNovember 4, 2012 at 9:29 PM

    I absolutely love Cave Dwellers--it speaks. I think you are a wise "old soul."

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  4. EvaNovember 7, 2012 at 10:13 PM

    It is so interesting to see the contrast in your work now. Your new outback series and minimal art are very special and I suspect appeal to a smaller market.The trick is to try and find the direction you want to go. I have dealt with this for years and it's not easy.

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    1. RobinNovember 8, 2012 at 7:28 AM

      In a way I feel like a late bloomer, Eva, and this new direction has taken me 20 years of representational painting in order to want to work toward "less is more". I will always love painting landscapes but that does not mean to take away my efforts to minimize the idea abstractly. Whether I am successful at it or not is yet to be determined!

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