"There is something unique in ever genesis", Pablo d'Ors says. There is a catalyst. There is the force and propulsion that overcomes inertia. When the resting state of all that is resistant to change is overtaken by all that refuses to stay the same. It's the one moment that defies everything.
Thanks so much Brian! The great thing about these index card studies is that provide a low friction, low pressure opportunity for experimentation. There a few things I played with on this piece that I'd definitely like to explore a bit more and maybe even attempt at a larger scale.
I've primarily worked ar A5 and A6. I've done a few pieces using a 14x17 substrate. Those have tended to be a very different kind of collage than I've been working on these days. Lately I've been working on A4 quite a lot. I think I'm just starting to understand how to apply my index card work to that scale. It's strange how that one adjustment can make you have to relearn and reorient so much about your process.
I haven’t read Pablo d’Ors yet. Thank you for the suggestion. Your use of color in these pieces completes a circuit in my brain somehow…sorry I’m not able to describe it well. There’s something about the way that collage can demonstrate pieces of an idea coming together to make a new and surprising entity.
Thanks Ann! I've only read one book by d'Ors but it certainly made an impact and it clearly gave me something to think about, lol. I think there's something fractal about collage. It's a kind of dimensional structure in that the details irregardless of scale are greater than it's topology. In some ways it's not so much that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts but that the parts are greater than the sum of the whole. It speak to so much in so little space without saying anything.
I think you're right, I think there really is "generosity" there. I think you've really hit on something important. I hadn't really considered! Thank you for that!
Thanks Jenn! Prove the idea is one of my favorites in thsi collection too. That was such an expected surprise. I started out with just that piece of striped paper and just started adding bits of whatever detritus was on my workbench at the time. It came together unexpectedly. I love it when that happens. It's the best feeling.
When I was a freshman in highschool an art teacher introduced me to the work of Jackson Pollock. A light came on in some corner of myself I didn't even know was there. I knew I wanted to make abstract art but painting was and is a language I've never been able to speak with any command or fluidity. I gave up the pursuit for entirely for years. I think it's only been recently that I'm just starting to get to where I've always wanted to be.
These are gorgeous… loving the white space that gives free flow… has the eye focuses where it needs to be. Inside of what we deconstruct (cut apart/destroy - subjective at best) beauty is created in new formations. One day you should consider putting these into a book— even if it's a book to just capture the progression of your work. Again you bring subject within a worded thought and give it new life. Well done and keep creating.
Thanks so much Darlene! The white space is often a battle for me. I love it, but at the same I find it dificult to ulitize in satisfying ways consistently. I think it’s partly because it feels too clean, too sterile. I like things with a history, things that show their wear, that have lived, that have a story.
At the moment, I’ve mostly working on recreating the sense of closeness and intimacy of my index cards at a larger scale. This has been difficult too, but I think I’m getting there.
I’ve been thinking about putting together a zine with collage work and soem short writing. I haven’t started working on it yet, still just mulling it over. But, its definitely something I’d like to do within the next year. We’ll see.
White space takes some getting used to. It’s own texture. Not for all pieces. Having said that, you add small details in black lines / marks into that white area (eg: diagram outlines from text book) that doesn’t detract gives it a hint of contrast so the space isn’t overwhelming. Allows the viewer’s eye to pause a sec before shifting to the focal point in the art. Your book… good ideas always have time to come into being.
For me, I think it’s always outwward expression of an internal search for balance. Somedays I find it. On other days…it’s at least interesting to see the imbalance given a form, to see the search given a shape.
Thanks Nolan! In some strange combination of confidence, muscle memory, ritual, and routine, I think I’m definitely discovering a fluidity, lol. Thanks again!
Stains removed is very compelling!
Thanks so much Brian! The great thing about these index card studies is that provide a low friction, low pressure opportunity for experimentation. There a few things I played with on this piece that I'd definitely like to explore a bit more and maybe even attempt at a larger scale.
How large of a scale have you done?
I've primarily worked ar A5 and A6. I've done a few pieces using a 14x17 substrate. Those have tended to be a very different kind of collage than I've been working on these days. Lately I've been working on A4 quite a lot. I think I'm just starting to understand how to apply my index card work to that scale. It's strange how that one adjustment can make you have to relearn and reorient so much about your process.
I haven’t read Pablo d’Ors yet. Thank you for the suggestion. Your use of color in these pieces completes a circuit in my brain somehow…sorry I’m not able to describe it well. There’s something about the way that collage can demonstrate pieces of an idea coming together to make a new and surprising entity.
Thanks Ann! I've only read one book by d'Ors but it certainly made an impact and it clearly gave me something to think about, lol. I think there's something fractal about collage. It's a kind of dimensional structure in that the details irregardless of scale are greater than it's topology. In some ways it's not so much that the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts but that the parts are greater than the sum of the whole. It speak to so much in so little space without saying anything.
There are so many fractals in nature. Something about the generosity of this strikes us as True.
I think you're right, I think there really is "generosity" there. I think you've really hit on something important. I hadn't really considered! Thank you for that!
I entirely agree!
These are gorgeous, I especially love Prove the Idea. Really wonderful stuff ❤️
Thanks Jenn! Prove the idea is one of my favorites in thsi collection too. That was such an expected surprise. I started out with just that piece of striped paper and just started adding bits of whatever detritus was on my workbench at the time. It came together unexpectedly. I love it when that happens. It's the best feeling.
Oh man, that is so cool. I love when things come together like that, too. It’s exhilarating ☺️
Almost no better feeling. If only they all could be like that 😂
True!
I love that first collage—what a greeting! Great stuff. Inspires me to do more abstract work.
When I was a freshman in highschool an art teacher introduced me to the work of Jackson Pollock. A light came on in some corner of myself I didn't even know was there. I knew I wanted to make abstract art but painting was and is a language I've never been able to speak with any command or fluidity. I gave up the pursuit for entirely for years. I think it's only been recently that I'm just starting to get to where I've always wanted to be.
These are gorgeous… loving the white space that gives free flow… has the eye focuses where it needs to be. Inside of what we deconstruct (cut apart/destroy - subjective at best) beauty is created in new formations. One day you should consider putting these into a book— even if it's a book to just capture the progression of your work. Again you bring subject within a worded thought and give it new life. Well done and keep creating.
Thanks so much Darlene! The white space is often a battle for me. I love it, but at the same I find it dificult to ulitize in satisfying ways consistently. I think it’s partly because it feels too clean, too sterile. I like things with a history, things that show their wear, that have lived, that have a story.
At the moment, I’ve mostly working on recreating the sense of closeness and intimacy of my index cards at a larger scale. This has been difficult too, but I think I’m getting there.
I’ve been thinking about putting together a zine with collage work and soem short writing. I haven’t started working on it yet, still just mulling it over. But, its definitely something I’d like to do within the next year. We’ll see.
White space takes some getting used to. It’s own texture. Not for all pieces. Having said that, you add small details in black lines / marks into that white area (eg: diagram outlines from text book) that doesn’t detract gives it a hint of contrast so the space isn’t overwhelming. Allows the viewer’s eye to pause a sec before shifting to the focal point in the art. Your book… good ideas always have time to come into being.
For me, I think it’s always outwward expression of an internal search for balance. Somedays I find it. On other days…it’s at least interesting to see the imbalance given a form, to see the search given a shape.
These seem more fluid than some of your previous pieces. Your new found passion/confidence is showing. So cool to witness. Keep on keeping on, Duane!
Thanks Nolan! In some strange combination of confidence, muscle memory, ritual, and routine, I think I’m definitely discovering a fluidity, lol. Thanks again!