I am currently struggling with my surfaces (as I always am), and how to address color and texture. For some reason, my intuition tells me that I want my pieces to be white, and/or a more natural looking surface. If I give them brighter colors, or colors at all really, I feel like they may look more goofy, fake, tacky, than I want them to. I think by using a white slip (or maybe glaze for the pieces that are already bisqued) I can allow certain parts to become exposed, and then when high fired the exposed parts would have a nice roasted concrete surface.
A suggestion I received to day was about having a sort of infected or mutated area growing or exposing itself along some of my pieces, drawing upon more connections between humans and the creatures... so looking at skin, skin folds.. applying something to the surface (different from the digging away texture that some of my work already has). Erica brought up a good point, that something else besides the forms needs to differentiate, and I totally agree. I think I am being timid about applying and taking away form the texture and form itself. I also need to vary the sizes of the individual sections more. Yes yes yes. Lots of things to think about. I think the most important thing for me is to be working constantly. I have four pieces going on now, and I plan to have many more coming. I also need to start talking with people about showing off-site, because that will really make a difference in whether my pieces being white will pop out or blend in with the surroundings.
Cool- off to mah bed
Drake,
ReplyDeleteI think it's important to do some experiments on small pieces with white and off white slip as soon as possible so we can all see this and help you make a judgement. These creatures have strong figurative associations, so skin colors seem like they would be fitting. White has associations with buildings, hospitals, sheets, plaster casts etc. So I'm anxious to see how this will work - either going with the skin association or working against it.
As for the mutated or infected area - I really don't know. It depends on what you want to communicate. You were talking about anxiety, so perhaps that would work.I just don't know if this idea grows out of your working process. I love the off balance, fat feeling of this piece. It has many associations.