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Something Doug Pexa mentioned in a post sometime in the last two week really struck a chord in me. He talked a little bit about some of his new work that he was doing and he said that he found himself going back to an abstract style that he has spent some time working in in the past. I have not seen any of Doug's new work yet, I hope to somewhere along the line here.
Any way the concept of abstraction has long been an interest of mine. When I was first confronted with creating it I must admit I was completely baffled. I was humbled beyond belief when I embarked on what I thought would be a cake walk only to find a most formitable and difficult challenge.
So in an effort to stretch us out of our comfort zone in yet another direction we are going to make an abstract piece from this pose by Shey. By piece I think you know I mean a drawing or a painting.... whatever happens, happens on this one. :-)
I know the idea of abstract art will instantly put some of you off. But, before you decide you are not going to do this one, hear me out.
When I say abstract I am not referring to Jackson Pollack type non-objective abstract expressionism. Not at all. In my mind and understanding in order to create a true abstraction one must needs start with a basis in reality. The type of abstraction I am talking about is simply a departure from a real and recognizable object. It may not look anything like Shey when you are finished, but we should all be able see where it came from as we are all working from the same realistic object.
We well may want to coin a phrase like subjective abstractionism...
There are a few ways that we could go about approaching this project. Each of the approaches will require that you use your powers of observation at least as closely as you do when you begin to work realistically. You may need to draw even harder on those powers actually.
You are going to have to let yourself go and let this pose really speak to you. We are all artists here, I think you know what I mean.
(the following list is not intended to be a step by step process, but rather, just some possible ways to look at the pose so that it can begin to speak to you.)
1) Look at the very basic shapes that make up the pose. These shapes may grab you, and by repeating or exagerating them you may have something...
2) You may see a fluid line that flows through the figure, sort of like a gesture line. This maybe what does it for you.
3) There maybe shapes of light and shadow
4) What about negative space
5) It could be that there is a close up view that includes an interesting convergence of lines.
Whether you zoom in, zoom out, twist things around, or reapeat them all over the place, let this project take you to your own personal vision. Let it all hang out.
Maybe you will have to think of this project as the doodle pad gone nuts.
HEY! LET'S not only DRAW!
but,
HAVE FUN!!!
...royce
oh, PS, this one is due on June 7th (2004)
Click here for Fabrication 014
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