2011 #13, hand dyed wool and egg tempera on linen, 11 3/4 x 13 1/2 inches.
2011 #14, hand dyed wool and egg tempera on linen, 15 x 13 1/4 inches.
2011 #15, hand dyed wool and egg tempera on linen, 16 1/4 x 14 inches.
With these four new pieces, I am continuing to play with shape and color, and having a wonderful time in the process. I so enjoy drawing thumbnail sketches, trying out this and that and then coloring them in with paint to see what will work. With #15, I first did a sketch with somber colors, earth browns and yellows, but then the idea of spring took hold of me and violet, red and green resulted.
I've also tried something a little different with #15, in having more of the linen support surrounding the image, which remains about the same size as in the other works. I wanted to see what would result: would the work have greater or less presence with this greater floating field? If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can see the four pieces taped on the wall (when hung properly, they are pinned) so can get a better sense of scale.
I've also tried something a little different with #15, in having more of the linen support surrounding the image, which remains about the same size as in the other works. I wanted to see what would result: would the work have greater or less presence with this greater floating field? If you scroll to the bottom of the page, you can see the four pieces taped on the wall (when hung properly, they are pinned) so can get a better sense of scale.
2011 #15, hand dyed wool and egg tempera on linen, 16 1/4 x 14 inches.
2011 #16, hand dyed wool and egg tempera on linen, 14 1/4 x 12 1/2 inches.
Right now I'm thinking that the extra inch or two is not needed, that the other pieces (except for #13, which is a bit tight on top) look more balanced. Any thoughts about this are welcome; I can always cut away some of the linen.
these are a delight to look at, I love the combination of materials which somehow intensifies the conversations between the forms. to my eye # 15 needs to be trimmed closer, the space gets flabby at the edges and loses connection with the forms. this is a good demonstration of how crucial margins are. ...
ReplyDeleterappel, thanks for the nice comment, and thanks for seconding my feeling about the margins on #15; I will make them smaller. This was a good lesson in balance.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your new hooked wool sketches. Thanks for posting these...R
ReplyDeleteAre these a new combination--the tempera and the wool? I'm taken with the conversion of materials and am enjoying the interplay between the tempera which soaks into the linen and the wool which almost seems to float on top of it. After looking, I agree about #15 and needing to bring in the margins a bit. Love the ovoid forms of #16.
ReplyDeleteWow, these are really great.
ReplyDeletethank you, R and Hannah and Rob. This group of works are relatively new, Hannah, as I've been making them for only a few months (I've done several posts on previous hooked sketches.)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful conversation these four at the bottom are having.
ReplyDeleteThe presentation against the old wooden door(?) makes them even
more remarkable. I also think a little less margin around the forms
is more interesting. I also love the shift from tempera to woolen thread.
It's all organic.
Myrna
P.S. I just returned from Poole, England and Suffolk. I saw your work
ReplyDeleteeverywhere. I have photographs to send you.
Myrna
I love your work Altoon especially your country landscapes, but I also love and appreciate your mixed media approach to creating art and pushing artistic boundaries combining painting with sculptural elements, traditional and non-traditional techniques.
ReplyDeleteOh I forgot to mention I have just started to work with egg tempera and I absolutely am in love with this medium! This is how I first came across your work looking for artists who work with egg tempera. - Catherine Meyers
ReplyDeletethanks Myrna, and I look forward to seeing the photos.
ReplyDeleteCatherine, thanks so much for the nice comments. And how great that you're enjoying using egg tempera!
Altoon- I enjoyed scrolling down the entries for today- #14 had me stop and ask, Happy or Sad-or is it perplexing? However #15- it made me smile! The pop of the small bright circle was a delight- a happy surprise that reminds you that standing upright and tall isn't the only solution.
ReplyDeleteAs always, a daily follower of your work.
Sue
Love seeing the 4 together, positioned on the aging door. I like their white space.
ReplyDeleteWow, some of the nicest textile pieces I've seen! I like the space their sitting in, but I'm sure they'll look good cropped as well....
ReplyDeletethanks so much, Sue and Maggie and Natasha.
ReplyDelete