What I’m Doing
Wednesday, July 29th, 2009Here is how I’m working right now, trying to shift away from some of my formulaic, clinical investigations into self and more toward a visceral, affective presentation of self. As you can see, I’m still using a kind of schematic foundation for both conceptual and aesthetic content, but the introduction of non-representational elements (the paint spatter) and a textured, non-white background are steps in a new direction.
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At some point soon I anticipate using other models besides myself. I also anticipate adding hand-rendered layers of paint, drawing, or printmaking on the surface of these prints. One of the issues I have with the digital layers of paint spatter is that I’m afraid it’s a loosy-goosy reference to the act of painting - a clumsy but overdramatic nod to something that’s left off-stage. Does actual paint need to be present? Does it matter that the creation of these spots is originally accidental, completely without any intention, that they’re randomly found? The other imagery that I use is very precise and purposeful, so this is kind of weird for me to just pick up paint splotches from my studio floor and casually throw them into the mix. Weird, but I like it. It’s freeing to not have to think about layers of meaning. It’s nice to intuitively let the colors and shapes do their own thing.