I know it's time to stop making these pieces when I'm playing Freecell in the last 15 minutes of my shift. Now I have to spend some time going through my existing stash and planning for what materials I'm going to need to bring something like these studies to life full sized.
And, Elizabeth! Who said you could be peeking over my shoulder when I am scribbling in my sketchbook? I am also reading a novel with a thrilling description of a horse race. 
11 comments:
Wandering through the blogosphere I come across this strange yet compelling piece. I don't want to look at the others long, because this is the best. No raggedy edges and weird shapes like the others. Okay, so I did scroll down, and some of these pieces just look like she threw whatever "might" work on the piece and stitched it down.
I don't see horses. I see people, tangled as they run. It reminds me of the start of the New York Marathon. Everyone wanting to be out there first, and always I hold my breath fearing a bad fall.
There is a hint of violence here, and I wonder why they are running through the mud.
sometimes Annoymous because the **blog won't let me sign in...like today!
I really like 1,2 +4 is my favorite. All three capture motion. 3 seems angry.
4 is peace/dove in motion.
Katherine McNeese
I see birds wings entangled. no way does this look watery as the sketch suggests. I also don't see any coherence to the piece...what principle of design would work to make this a viable composition? I don't see even a basic design principle at work here but it could be a good start if it was taken farther and not just scraps in the middle of the canvas.
no, i won't leave my name since it seems that if someone actually gives an honest critique, they are booed and hissed for not being supportive. I look at it much like teaching your child to dress himself; do you give him a resounding 'woo-hoo' when he puts his underwear on backwards or do you gently try to teach him the rules of dressing oneself?
this is great, you're creating controversy!!! and yes, look behind you!!!
OOO Deb---you're breaking the rules!!!! YAY!!!!!! Personally i believe that if we all liked/did/designed the same way, it would be a damn boring world, Ms Anonymous.
I LOVE the freeform associations these pieces give the viewer.
I like to really study other artist's work also. I feel that by breaking down for myself just how they have accomplished the mood or feeling that I would like to capture really helps me. I also agree that design elements need to be considered in these works a little more.
Hollis Heichener's work uses larger masses of color, she fills her format much more, the colors go off the format, there is more interaction between the colors, and there seems to be a more predominant color.
You have asked for a critique which is look at what is working and what could be improved...not an "oh this is wonderful" so:
I feel that when you have included larger masses of the fabric that it works better rather than more smaller strips of fabric. I feel your pieces are all in a rectangular form on a rectangular format. Consider starting your piece off the your substrate and then working in. Consider working with a few colors and adding complements or triadics. You might also want to consider changing some of the background so that it is not all the same. It would also provide more interest. If you are seeking more of a sense of movement then consider placing your overall composition on the diagonal and coming from off the piece and moving across in a more diagonal direction. Included larger masses and a few small bits of color.
These are interesting beginnings. Take them further. To make them work bigger, I feel there would need to be a far more complexity in the background or at least more value change and the pieces of fabric would need to be larger. Keep on working on these...the more you do, the better they will get, even small!
It is sad that when one comments honestly about a piece of work that someone else has to put that comment down.
Just breaking the "rules" does not make art better...and snide comments about another's comments feels so rude.
Ahem, Anonymous #6 here: I like the IDEA of what you're doing, but to convey motion and confusion and horses in action, might I suggest a bit of a change to the background? Maybe make it more gestural and directional with the splotches moving forward rather than static. Also, try more variety in the sizes of the scraps- when you think of horses the legs are spindly and tangled and unstable, while the larger and more heavy areas are suspended through the center. But darlin', you are onto something here- keep up the experiments, keep on keepin' on, go look at some real horses, take some pictures of them taking off. It's close, reach out and grab it! Love ya- The Fossil
Wasn't being snide, didn't put you down, darling, just expressed my viewpoint :}
We don't all design the same way, and given that the piece is not done yet,but a study.........
sorry to stir it up Deb :}
Hm, these comments make me think. Have we all become too cautious in order to acknowledge everyone's work, are we bedded snugly in praise and give this to one another? Or do we show the confidence in the artist to take and use and maybe appreciate this kind of criticism? When I show that I believe that an artist is strong enough to take a few critical words, at the same time I trust the strength of her personality. And after all, this is a free play of picture elements, these are experiments, and you can try it and maybe get some new ideas out of it.
Anonymus, I see a positive attitude towards the artist in your comments, I don't think a bad experience should keep you from being honest.
honesty rules. please! lets get down to it already.
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