Thursday, December 11, 2008

. . . totally screwed up




this little collage. Although you would never suspect it, this one actually started out to be an exercise in both more structure and use of negative space. You will notice that the right side of this thing started out with a number of small squares or rectangles of various colors. That was my attempt at more structure. The red triangle that comes in from the left side was supposed to be the only thing on that side of the collage. . . the rest was supposed to be negative space. Well we can see that didn't work out. Then I continued to screw up by stamping those squares on the collage. . . Oh, well, at least it is colorful.


I don't know why I have a compulsion to fill up every available piece of blank canvas I work on. I admire artists that can skillfully use the concept of negative space in their art. Is that something you have to consciously practice? Is it something you learn taking classes? When I try it, the piece just turns out to look unfinished. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The structured part that was such a failure in this collage doesn't bother me too much, yet. I figure I can still get it right. I also want to try to limit my color pallette. It's all about playing around and experimenting and learning, right? And I learned that stamping white squares in a totally unrelated manner is not a good thing.

4 comments:

Leslie Avon Miller said...

I think we all have our own inner driven aesthetic. It’s our voice. It’s who we are. It’s what we have been given. I am a minimalist myself, and try as I might to get wild and really add a lot to a piece, I just don’t. When there is too much going on I get out the sander and sand it back down, or I rip it up, or paint over the top, or something.

Mary Buek said...

Oh, my goodness, Leslie. . . thank you for commenting. If you hadn't, I would have never found your blog. Your art is amazing. . . exactly what I wish my collages could become. So inspiring that I'm afraid to visit because what if I copy yours? I love the colors, the textures, everything. The black and white ones. . . superb. Please come by again, and be assured that you will influence my future work. Please take it as a compliment.

Leslie Avon Miller said...

Everybody influences everybody! At some level, we are all the same artist, so not to worry. If you add minimalism to your work, it will be in Mary fashion, with your voice. Several months ago you showed us a picture of a gray, white and rust or yellow piece you did. It was hanging on your dining room wall. My gosh but I loved that. I still think about that piece. Great division of space, and use of organic edges. I could have envy.....well, okay I do. Just love that piece.

Mary Buek said...

Leslie: Thanks again. . . your work is a treat to see.