I would like to take the time to discuss a particular process that has become a mandatory first step in creating my composition in terms of painting and basket making. What I have determined, is that by starting small, and then seeing how I feel about what I have done, is the way in which I can move ahead with the painting process. So when I say "move ahead" I mean, for example, that I start with a small surface like a small piece of paper and move forward to a larger size of surface like a canvas sheet. From that point, If I feel good about it, I will copy what I see, adding more detail and refinement and then move to something bigger like a smaller canvas. Finally, if I am truly excited about what I see before me, I will select the final canvas size and proceed with my planned composition.
This process is also in my basket making when determining the shape, size, materials, color selection, and methods used ( ie: crochet, weave, tassle's, etc). The only differentiating point is that this process requires minimal sketches, so I usually just use paper, pencil and perhaps some pastel crayons and a little paint.
So I call these preliminary works "sketches" because they are visual references that provides me with the information and a concise plan to work from. They allow me to build on the idea as the creation unfolds. They also act like a sort of challenge that I have imposed upon myself, and I am reminded by it that it is not only my self expression that must be realized, but also something that must be completed as accurately as possible, so that I may be genuinely fulfilled with my creation.
This is the story of Flower Jar with Stripy Background.
It started with a neon pink piece of paper that I happened to have on hand at the time, as well as an (obviously washed and dried) take out food box - the kind that has four triangles that make up the lid, which I ripped off and used as tracers. Essentially this is what I used to create a rose shape. I did this by tracing the various lines and angles over and over, overlapping each other, filling in the lines in between, sometimes free handedly, until I create a rose. I then took paint and applied colours that wouldn't be found on any
current Rose species or hybrid. The end result of this experiment pleased me enough to want to keep it, so I put it on my fridge and there it stayed for some time.
One day I was thinking about earlier paintings that involved Mason Jars, when I came up with an idea that could potentially involve this Rose I created. I thought to myself, what if there was this surreal bouquet that had flowers from different seasons sitting in a large Mason Jar, and behind it a stripy background, and that would be the
painting!
So in June 2018 I embarked on the second sketch, which was made from a canvas pad piece. I settled on this idea, and then I moved on to selecting the canvas size which was 24" x 35". There were spacial problems that I encountered when deciding where
the flowers should go. You have this sketch of which you are working off of which is 16" x 20", then there is this significant distance between things all of a sudden. So in a way, you just utilize that space and create atmosphere from it, which is what I feel like I have achieved.
In November of 2018, I had a meeting with my artist friend and web consultant Jenn and we came up with some ideas to get my stuff seen in the public. Somehow Jenn managed to get Luisa from The South Main Gallery onto a chat, and worked with her as my representative. At first I did not expect to even hear back, but five minutes later
she responded! At first she said that the gallery was full which is what I expected but two minutes after that she asked me to participate in their upcoming show after looking at my work on my website. The show was called Supercalafragilisticexpialodocious and ran from December 7th to Jan 27th.
This was a personal triumph for me as an artist, it was a very big deal to have something of mine hanging in a legit Vancouver-based art gallery. Luisa chose the most recent version of Flower Jar with Stripy Background.
After looking at the painting, there rose to the surface things that made me feel insecure about it. So after contacting the gallery to ask if she would accept another version, and getting the OK, I plowed into it again, refining everything down to the last stamen! I worked especially hard. I once got up at 6 AM and painted non stop until 7 pm, my husband reminding me to eat and helping me with that.
A few weeks before the show, all of the artists were contacted and told that they could sell little works at the opening night and throughout the shows duration, so I brought 8 baskets in varying colors and sizes. I totally did not expect it so I was delighted to have this opportunity. I ended up selling four of my baskets on opening night.
Opening night was intimidating at first, but as the wine flowed, people started talking to each other. I had some interesting conversations with attendees and really enjoyed the art displayed. It was an experience I won't soon forget.
A rose made from a take-out box.
Version 1 on Canvas Pad
Flower Jar with Stripy Background Version 2
Flower Jar with Stripy Background Final Version
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Let me know what you think!
