Thursday, January 24, 2008

PAINT OR PEACE?

This may look like a canvas of strewn paint....but, it's really that... and much more. I was going through my "appreciation of Pollack" phase and just wanted to simulate the joy he supposedly experienced while slinging paint on a canvas. The flow of the colors, the textures, the splat of paint from different angles and distance...all was quite interesting to me. So, one afternoon I purchased a huge 3'x4' canvas...laid out an old sheet on the driveway...and began slinging. It was quite invigorating. The lack of concern for how the paint addressed the canvas, the vibrant colors beginning to blend...the giant mess that was developing...it was FUN!


Not to insult Pollack...but, this was like taking a refresher course of Art 101 as experienced in 1st grade. It was about no parameters...not being conservative with the paint...no care for the end result...no premeditated vision...really it was like putting a blindfold on, getting behind the wheel of a car and hoping for the best. There was a huge sense of adventure with no idea of how it would end.


This particular afternoon my daughter was just an observer. She made her side bar comments, but felt totally humiliated at my prancing, and was praying no neighbor or friend would happen by as the canvas ritual was going on. But, as time passed, the watching and the embarrassment became instruction...like, "throw this color on there...toss it over your back...why don't you just throw the canvas and see what happens", to the point, I invited her to participate. With much reluctance, we both were slinging paint like Metropolitan Professionals while giggling and solving all the ills of the earth. We slung so much paint it took 4 days of 98 degree weather for it to dry. Layer upon layer of acrylic paint, with layer upon layer of stories to match. It became our version of the "Divine Secrets of the Ma-Da (mother/daughter) Sisterhood." We had a terrific, creative experience!

All this said...I now look at art a little differently. I have often made snide remarks about the simplicity of something, yet, I don't know what went on in the process of its creation. Buried beneath all that paint could be the answer to solving world peace....who knows?



11 comments:

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

I love your liberating approach to art..
When I was at art college we were given exercises in drawing with our eyes closed.... I found this so much more exciting than studying the form..
It freed me up from preconceptions.. and if it looked awful then... what the hell!

Michele

P.s Thanks for visiting me..

Anonymous said...

Hi Alexa, We used to live in a very contemporary house with very high ceilings in certain parts of it. I needed a huge painting for one wall and I just could not find anything I liked in the stores so I did exactly what you did. Just bought a huge canvas and threw paint all over it in the colors that I liked and needed. LOL. We had so many nice comments on that "painting". ~ Lynn

Michelle said...

Now that is a painiting with a great story! It makes it even more fun to look at!

Kissing of the Frogs said...

Alexa,
Sweet Lynn sent me over here to check out your blog, she was write, how I enjoy your writing...your painting story is wonderful.
Rose

BittersweetPunkin said...

Hi Alexa...I came over from Lynn at The Vintage Nest...I love your blog...you have some fabulous ideas!! I am a thrift store addict and a junker as well...it's nice to get some ideas for all the stuff I'm hoarding!!
I'd love to bookmark your blog and return again!
Blessings,
Robin

calamitykim said...

Hi! I added you to my Blog- I have several pages of them on the right at the top!! Whew! So many Blogs, so little time!! Thanks for stopping by! Calamity Kim

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Hi, I just stumbled upon your blog, and very much enjoyed my visit. Fun and interesting, and I can't wait to see the new life you breathe, (pun intended) into the cigar labels!
Best wishes~
Cathy

Bristol said...

I found you through Lynn's blog, how wonderful. So glad I visited!
Bristol

Sandi McBride said...

I always loved finger painting as a child and couldn't wait to introduce my boys to its wild call! I love that picture...I hope it's hanging somewhere in your home! Oh, and Lynn (at the Vintage Nest) arranged this meeting.
Sandi

Grace said...

I was Loving Cathy Nash's blog admiring her "cuties" and so proud she is my swap partner in a swap and she directed me to your lovely blog. Your art is beautiful! I can not wait to see what you make with those cigar labels! Grace

bj said...

How neat and how fun!
bj