Thursday, May 7, 2009

Done Riding Herd for a Bit

Outside my studio window the skies are grey and cloudy and drizzly, but inside these walls my tension -- OK let's be honest, total anxiety- about how this silk composition would steam and wash out is over. My heart is light-- at last, this piece is DONE. It's been a long, hard, dusty ride and this cowpoke is ready for a hot bath and a stiff tonic at the local saloon! I do hope you can see enough detail in this full image. When a piece is this long, it's hard to photograph.


Etruscan Relic, 2009, silk broadcloth, 39" x 120"

Some of the colors on yesterday's additional layer worked beautifully, but the drawn and resist letter forms didn't stay as defined as they were before processing. But there are other tools and techniques to accomplish this and as my day winds down in the studio, I've etched in some darker lines with paint to restore the letters. Here are some details of the completed piece.

Etruscan Relic, detail of top



Detail, bottom

I'll return on Monday to see if any additional fine tuning will be necessary on this after I've had some time away from it. All that's left to do is apply a hanging mechanism to the back of the work, have it photographed professionally and ship it to Australia. More details about the exhibition and hopefully some images of the works from the invited artists will be available for you to see in the near future.

11 comments:

  1. It's gorgeous! I'm glad that you removed the darker part from the bottom as I agree that it was distracting. The whole piece really comes together now.

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  2. Ruth, thank you for that thumbs up! There are such great details in the piece that don't come through as well in photographs -- and hope that it's well received in Australia.

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  3. Oh Jeanne,
    It is absolutely gorgeous! I am so drawn to that ancient feel-for me it's cave paintings-and you have really captured it. The exhibit is going to be amazing.

    Tracy

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  4. Tracy, it's encouraging to hear you say that the image communicates a feeling of age. I can't wait to see what other people submit -- I know that Regina Benson and Joan Schulte and Jane Dunnewold and Els van Baarle will be in it, so you can understand why I have wanted this to reflect my best work.

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  5. I have enjoyed seeing this work evolve and listening to your thought process. I am drawn to this piece; the line work, the visual texture and the color play. It really works! Congratulations.

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  6. Leslie, since we share a common love of language imagery, your congratulations mean a lot. The dimensions of this piece were challenging, so I am breathing great sighs of relief that it holds together compositionally.
    Thanks.

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  7. Terrific work. You will be in great company--look forward to seeing something about the exhibit online soon. Thanks.

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  8. Thanks, Fulvia, I will post more about the exhibition -- and hopefully have some images to share -- in the near future.

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  9. This is absolutely gorgeous! Rich color, visual depth, ancient look with the subtle traces of ancient language. You've nailed it, Jeanne! Excellent work. I have no doubt your work will be at least the quality of the others, known for their excellence. Well done, Jeanne. Bravo!

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  10. Jeanne, this work of art is absolutley gorgeous. It is so rich in color, pattern and meaning. This will be very well received in the show.

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  11. Rosemary and Vicki, couldn't be a nicer start to Mother's Day than to wake up and find two more positive comments about this piece. And in a way, I do feel like I've gone through labor and delivery to get it birthed. Oh happiness, I hope this whole exhibition is an exciting one.

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