A Great Day in New Haven

Yesterday, I went to New Haven to see the exhibition "Mrs. Delany and Her Circle" at the Yale Center for British Art. I had been told by a friend that it was a must see - Thanks Linda. And, it was in the back of my mind. Yesterday morning I checked the website only to find out that - that was the last day. So, off I went - to New Haven via Metro North. It was snowy and blustery in NH. The museum charged no admission - yeah!!!!! I rushed up to the show and I was really blown away. Mrs. (Mary) Delany's colors are so lush. She had to make them herself; there were no commercial paints at that time.

She called her work 'paper mosaicks.' Her paper was thinner than the paper I use. It was often hard to see that it was collaged. I really love the black backgrounds. The black makes the colors sing.

These two images - I scanned from the exhibition book - which I HAD to have.

getting ready

I am working to get ready for the demonstration. I am making things in different steps of pre-assembly. I had more at the studio. I made several faces. I made features: eyes, mouths, etc. These were glued to sketch paper so I could fine them. I made the flowered dress, just the white, with the pink trim, and with the flowers. I made a whole bunch of flowers - that could be glued on after I demonstrated how to make one.

The uniforms are not yet resolved. I have to figure out how to make the plaid and then break that down into steps. The arms and hands would have similar treatment. Then I think, the girls will have accessories: purse, lunch bag, back pack, etc. But, I am almost ready to give a demonstration that would flow. I think it would be like watching Martha Stewart bake a cake. She says to bake it for 20 minutes and then - viola - pulls out an already baked cake.

Facial features: eyes, noses, mouths.
School uniform pieces:





Flowered dress - in parts.

Demonstration

I have been asked to do a demonstration of my process, specifically in creating a paper doll card. This would be filmed (more details as they become firm.) After thinking about it, I decided I needed to make one and see how that could be done in the time frame given. I worked all day and here is what I was able to accomplish.


I am not happy with it. The hands need work, maybe the boots should be red? I think she looks angry. But, as I said - I worked all day.

I think I need to pre-assemble the card I demonstrate and have several versions in various stages available. I could demonstrate making one flower and then pull a paper dress out with all the flowers attached, and so forth.

I think the one I would like to make would be Little Betty Jane in her Catholic school uniform. It was green plaid with a green beanie.

I think I need to be ready by next week. I hope I can pull it off. Stay tuned...

Back at the studio

Since I finished grading last night, I was able to get to the studio today. I worked on some sketchages. I thought this would help me get back into the studio mindset.



I like using the negative space. I pasted the paper with the image cut out. I had pasted the image to another drawing. But, the shape of the cut out is interesting to me.

More Progress

I had a little time to work today. I think I worked on this for a couple of hours. Time flies....
After going to the exhibition "Slash" at the MAD in NYC, I mostly felt that I should be working much larger - you know - making a bigger SpLASH. But, instead I start this piece with tiny paper mosaic tiles. I guess you can't fight your own inclinations. I just don't feel a need to make big, other than that is what you see in shows like "Slash."

There was work in the show that was more intimate by Andrea Dezso. Oh, and also Kara Walker.

But, I guess - I left feeling overwhelmed by the larger works.

Continuing Progress

Back at the studio today. The first image is after 2 hours of work. The final two - after an additional 1 1/2 hours.

Today's work

I've been sketching at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I am in love with all things Medeival. There is a mosaic that I have been thinking about. I made a very basic drawing. It's the first image. Then at the studio, I thought I would work with a magazine I found in the laundry room. It seems to be a magazine from Bergdorf Goodman. Really just a big advertisement. I wanted to try to make the mosaic using a couple of photographs of models from this magazine/advertisement. As you can see it starts out rather simply. And, then when I start adding the tiny pieces of skin tones from the photos, it starts to get interesting. I got about half way through the face. I was there for about three hours. But, it is great fun.








This last image shows the source photo with all the little pieces cut away from her face.