Journaling intentions

For the design of my piece for the SC State Fair, I’m developing ideas in my journal. Setting intentions at the beginning helps me stay on track through the process. I need to do more planning for a big piece than for small pieces.

My recent work has incorporated coneflowers and stone walls. Echinacea (coneflower) is an herb associated with respiratory health. Stone walls in the garden represent protection and strength. These symbols represent the cycles of nature and seem appropriate for Covid times.

Color and values drawings

I plan to use the gelatin prints that I’ve been collecting as collage materials. The coneflowers inspire a warm magenta and orange color scheme. After making thumbnail drawings, color studies, and a value study, I was ready to start on the canvas. I drew large shapes with pastel, then painted the design with black gesso.

Drawing with pastel

I’m considering how to use the gelatin prints as collage materials. I plan to incorporate paint and expect to build up several layers as I work though the “messy middle” phase.

Design painted with black gesso.
Auditioning gelatin prints with values similar to background.