I've been reluctant to post my latest encaustics. I'm struggling through an upheaval here of my former "style" and I'm deep in the fog of not knowing. Well, that's where I usually am but this feels different. This feels like something I should keep close until I figure it out. However, tossing caution to the wind I will share these. My usual polestar (John) doesn't like the minimal ones so much and I do; what say you?
They are all over the place because I am trying out various approaches. One day I'm all about texture, another day it's excavating layers, yet another day it's collage and transfer. Scattered but lots of learning.
The long narrow one is 12x24". I like the proportion; very elegant. The surface looks like candy.
The triptych consists of 3-10x10" panels hung together. The writing was done with a tjanting tool, covered over with ivory wax and then scraped down to reveal the layers beneath. Writing is such a part of me. I will use it but must find just the right way to do so.
The baby is painted over an envelope given to me by
Linda; it came from China. The baby drawing was done through carbon paper and then fused into the wax. Feedback?
I've been reluctant to post my latest encaustics. I'm struggling through an upheaval here of my former "style" and I'm deep in the fog of not knowing. Well, that's where I usually am but this feels different. This feels like something I should keep close until I figure it out. However, tossing caution to the wind I will share these. My usual polestar (John) doesn't like the minimal ones so much and I do; what say you?
They are all over the place because I am trying out various approaches. One day I'm all about texture, another day it's excavating layers, yet another day it's collage and transfer. Scattered but lots of learning.
The long narrow one is 12x24". I like the proportion; very elegant. The surface looks like candy.
The triptych consists of 3-10x10" panels hung together. The writing was done with a tjanting tool, covered over with ivory wax and then scraped down to reveal the layers beneath. Writing is such a part of me. I will use it but must find just the right way to do so.
The baby is painted over an envelope given to me by Linda; it came from China. The baby drawing was done through carbon paper and then fused into the wax. Feedback?
24 comments:
Sometimes the search is more beautiful than the answer.
Judy-
I have so enjoyed watching your journey unfold with your new works in wax. I tend to like both- I LOVE the more minimal ones- a couple were almost Rothko-like. I sympathize as i am heading into uncharted waters as well- moving on with some newer ideas. I find that my art students have a hard time with the nonobjective assignments I give them-they like to have something "real" as they say. Terry
judy, i love them all... i love the progression of your work. it's my experience that we move towards a more abstract/minimalist representation the more proficient we become with a medium. it's as if exact representation becomes too limiting- narrows down what we want to convey too much. accck! i'm having a hard time articulating what i think/feel! so i'll just say i love the direction you're heading-- it *feels* and looks great. being so in the middle of the process as you are, who knows where it will end up.
xxxooo
i enjoy seeing your progression too! i like the first one quite a bit and the white swirls in the last one are so lovely.
i put this quote on my blog late last night and thought it was appropriate to your post: "One doesn't discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." -Andre Gide
I'm blown away by how you create so many pieces that really work but yet are so different from each other in what seems like a very short time. How many hours a day do you work?
The top two pieces are my favorites -- I want to reach through the screen and touch them, tilting them in the light to look at the play of texture and layers.
Looking at your new pieces it seems to me that, up til now, your mixed media pieces and your journals have been more separate, and in these pieces they are coming closer together. The freedom and spontaneity of your journals is evident in your new explorations. Your work has always been fresh and lively but these seem less "worked" and more intimate, like you are talking to yourself through them.
Turkish Delight! They are like turkish delight! Every bit as addictive too, though no bad consequences to indulging! Keep going, girl, you are doin' fine!
OK, so I came to vote on my favorite and I thought it was the second from top but now I think I like them all for different reasons. Great fun you are having is obvious.
I like them all, but I must say that I am absolutely loving the abstract ones. The second, third and fourth are my favorites, and i can't decide which of those three is my absolute favorite. I really love the circles, but the writing is also great.
I love your new abstracts Judy, especially the ones with circles and dots, BUT I also love your colourful earlier paintings too. Why can't you do both? I have so many styles as I like to experiment too.
Ro
I love the new work, Judy - I'm SO glad you shared! I especially love the 12x24 & the triptych. Those are wonderful - so deliciously full of things to look at! Keep showing us your new work, it's so inspiring!
Cindy S-E
I understand what you are going through and I like them all. I ESPECIALLY like the blindfolded woman in the transparent slip....searching for her style!
i love the work you did here! I especially thing the eggs in the nest piece is gorgeous.
I really love these pieces and thanks for being a little vulnerable and showing them. I especially love the first two. I love the colors swimming in the background and the texture of the first one. I wish I could run my hand across it. The second one, is fun too! I keep thinking eggs or marshmallows--but maybe it's because I haven't eaten yet today! Peace & Love.
Hi, I have to agree with folks saying the search is sometimes better than the answer. I liked the second one very much indeed. When folks go thru "stuff" like this, I like to reserve comment until the end is nigh (or not...lol). You just keep doing what you're doing. Sounds like your psyche is cooking, to me.
Best,
, I am very fond of all the wonderful details I see in your pieces so in that way I agree with John. But, I also think it's incredibly important to expand and try new styles and techniques to keep your true "voice" in your art.
I can't answer that. I don' think this is really about which one anyone else likes better. I have to admit that I consider you a very prolific artist and if you're evolving then the answer will come to you in the very fact that you are constantly creating and searching and growing in your art.
XXoox
Lorri
Ah Judy my love,
Once again in your bold and fearless way, you blaze a trail of waxy color across the canvas and carve Wise hieroglyphics into the surface. your exploration is deeply meaningful. I like what dj says about the search. AND...I like the eggs in the basket with the 4 that have tumbled outside. I know that's not what you created, but it's what I see. I want to swim inside the minimalist ones and dive under the creamy surface. Something is under there. And I want to know WHAT.
I don`t think there are any that are better than others...they are all perefect as they all express something that comes from your soul and each is different. I agree with the Dj all the way!
feedback? Loving it!!! the carbon paper, the writting, those dotts! I love to see you work thru a style stage- it helps us all when we go thru the same thing.I too am going some place new, and you help me to be brave. In fact I was so annoyed with what was going on,my floundering and unknowning what I was trying to do and how to get there ... I avoided my studio all weekend.
I love the top one -- it's archetypal and there are subtle thematic echoes throughout, very subtle. Nice clarity and dimensionality (image-wise and physically, I love it when that happens!). The colors enhance this overall clarity and "health". 8-) I also like the baby image and it seems to add another archetypal component to your explorations.
All of them are like dream images to me, even the abstractions. I do like the minimalist work but there is perhaps less of you coming through. Also, the color palette isn't quite as subtle or sophisticated, perhaps that's why your hubby isn't as fond of them. The top abstraction reminds me of eggs. Maybe women like eggs more than men? ;-)
Thanks for being brave, you inspire me so much. 8-)
Judy,
I love the embossed effects that you are getting, especially in the first piece. And your ability to work on and complete so many pieces is inspiring! Thank you for sharing and putting the wide range of works up; its heartening to see someone else be "all over the place." Hugs!
j...i have missed checking in with you during this crazy year...hope i can connect more often now...r
i know i've told you this before...but, you inspire me! thanks for all the tips on this medium...i'm timid to try it...but, know i just need to jump in and give it a whirl. love the photo of you and your girlies and grandson.
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