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| Red Leaf on Green Ground |
For me, it is true that, sometimes, even the weight of one quick brushstroke is too much, too direct. I am searching for a visual implication of some objects rather than something more concrete. There are many ways to foster this notion: using lots of medium, whether that is water or turpentine; soaking the paint surface beforehand; blotting or removing some of the paint immediately after applying; layering; selectively destroying the surface; and using printmaking, a more passive application, for some elements. "Red Leaf" was begun as a monoprint using the back of the leaf, with the protruding veins, which was coated with paint and pressed into the surface. Then I came back into the painting softly and slowly to bring it more clearly into focus....to suit me. I did several and this one is my favorite. It provides a GIVEN, a design element that is already on the paper when you begin to paint. It is the first piece of the visual puzzle to be solved. This method also eliminates the "white surface syndrome" that can be daunting as well as causing the elements to be painted just too directly for my liking. This resultant work resembles a piece of silk to me. I would think that this would be an amazing exercise for young artists as well.....young in age as well as young in heart. Delighting in autumn. Delighting in simplicity. What could be better?
