Life - gilding

This piece is on a 8"x24" canvas with a base of molding paste to create texture; then layers of acrylic to create depth of color. The text is gilded with 23kt patent gold over one layer of painter's gesso and one layer of instacol. I was inspired by the teaching of my pastor one Sunday on the Narrow Door that leads to life.

But small is the gate

and narrow the road that leads to LIFE, 

and only a few find it.

Matthew 7:14

I have come that they may have LIFE,

 and that they may have it more abundantly.

John 10:10

I pray you know the joy and peace that comes from the one and only Jesus Christ!

Happy Sunday!!!!!!!

Flourished Script Initial tags

Where has the week gone! This week has been a whirlwind.

When the week is crazy busy and flying by its nice to create something sweet and pretty like these initial tags. 

Gilded Vellum

This work is 23k patent gold and palladium on vellum. Part of the lettering is raised gilding using painters gesso and instacol and part of the lettering is flat gilding using gum ammoniac. I am new to gilding and am experimenting as I go. The draft for this was created on arches textwove paper. (You can view it here and here.) The paper was okay to gild on but the vellum was a dream; plus I feel so official when working with vellum.

I have created this piece for the year long Reggie Ezell's Primitive to Modern Course. Reggie's class has been great to boost my creativity and to put new tools in my tool box. I have learned so much! In fact, next class is this weekend. So I am off to pack.

Text as Texture - Final

Well, here is the final post in the series of Text as Texture. This is my favorite. Using text as texture to create abstract art has been enlightening, to say the least. It has help to settle some likes and dislikes in my mind. I hope to be able to take some of these and rework them into larger more complex pieces.

Thank you all for your comments and encouragement in this process.

Text as Texture 4

The fourth example from my journal with text creating abstract shapes and texture. I like this one!

The washes of walnut ink and watercolor on each side add depth and movement without being too distracting. The main word going vertical on the page creates a nice shape. The outer colors not touching the black, but coming close creates a contrast element with the black sumi ink. The small text inside the main word gives visual interest without overwhelming the main focus.

The elements that are not working is the random text in the blue area. I don't mind the strokes but the words are too legible and thus do not make sense.

I think the sketches are improving.

Text as Texture 3

Okay, here's the third example of text as texture. (The first can be seen here and the second here.)

The things that I think work in this example are: the background interest is more complex. There is also more variation in sizes of text. And I like the single spot of color in the middle. The two vertical boxes add a structural element to the otherwise organic feel of the piece.

The things that do not work are: the 'c' in grace has been completely covered. Where this piece is not necessarily meant to be legible, the covering of the 'c' leaves a visual a hole. There is no real focal point to grab the eye and move it around the piece. It's too disorderly.

Text as Texture 2

This is my second example of text as texture. I am experimenting with abstract layouts using text to create shape and texture. My last post was my least successful sketch thus far. This example is a little better. The overall shape is more interesting and the walnut ink in the lower left corner creates some interest as well.  Although, there is a little more contrast in value from the previous post, it is still not enough. And then there is the issue of the blank spot in the upper left corner. Something about it is appealing but uncomfortable at the same time. Overall the sketch is too clean, not enough background depth and not enough variance in size of lettering.

I have generated about 4 of these so far and am saving the better ones for last. The colors are being kept the same and to a minimum. There is black sumi ink, walnut ink, and turquoise watercolor.