8.04.2008

Here's something I've been talking about trying for a long time -- a scan of one of my pieces (rather than the usual photo). Very interesting . . . and very disappointing. I think she looks like what one of my pieces might look like in a horror movie (my people are always quite "cute" yet with something sinister lurking that you can't quite put your finger on -- this takes the sinister thing to a new level). The lighting makes her look just AWFUL, but at least you get to see the piece I completed most recently, pre-photographer. Come see it at a show when it's in a really great painted frame and I promise (actually hope is the more accurate word) you'll like it much more!




While I'm at it (showing things that really shouldn't be put up for public view), would you like to see the sketch that this piece came from? Are you remotely curious about the process? It is a mystery for the ages that I can't draw at all, but I can make pictures with a needle and thread. I can cut a much better line than I can draw. Here's the sketch:




So now you see what I have to work from, you can better appreciate the miracle of it all (that anyone could create something from such a humble beginning). Actually, my being self-taught is probably one of the things that makes my work unique, and certainly makes it meaningful to me. I don't think I'd trade that at this point. Which brings me to my favorite Sir Walter Raleigh quote: "There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangenesse in the proportion." So I'll call myself "untrained by choice". I'm sure I could learn to draw, but I guess I'm unwilling to surrender what I have to the inevitable change that learning a set of rules would require. Which brings me to another quote, this time by Adrian Monk: "Don't change anything. EVER. It's a very old rule."

6 comments:

Jake and Chelsea said...

you finally added a sketch!! it looks great. and i'm sure everyone will appreciate it. i sure did. and the piece doesn't look too bad just scanned in. it's not as sharp for sure, but keep in mind, it's not billboard sized. you could also fix it up a bit in photoshop. down the brightness up the contrast. that combo is always a sure bet.

Jessie said...

I think the scanned piece looks great! i actually like the scanned version better - you can really see more detail and get a better feel of the textures (oh look at my pun!). I LOVE your work!!!

Amelia Poll said...

I like her. Granted, it is still hard to have a true appreciation for your work until you have seen it, but it is still pretty amazing :)

Crayons said...

I like the scan a lot. I also appreciate the sketch. I'm keen on process, it's like watching a rehearsal of a play. So fascinating to see the decisions that are made.

Amanda Cheniae said...

I like the scan! I think it really lets people see the textures that make your pieces so unique! As I say that I see that someone else said that. The down side is that I think the photos show more brilliant colors.
I do love it though!

Amelia Poll said...

So I just went and "met" your work...you are amazing. I really miss sitting in your studio drinking in (and stealing, haha) your creativity. You are just plain fabulous.

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