Part of the reason I wanted to start work on the DEN, rather than start by exploring what I could create in the safe space that is the DEN, was because I had no real idea of what I was going to do once inside it. And I know that's kinda the point and that I'm possibly just putting off going in there cause it's all a bit scary and unknown (You don't have to tell me...I am well aware! lol) but working on the outside has, unexpectedly, given me lots of ideas. So what do I know?
I know that I want to really push the differences within my work. Those differences are what make my little heart happy and what, to me, make a painting interesting.
I know I want to focus on simplifying my work. That doesn't necessarily mean less layers it just means focusing on the grand design of the piece and really thinking about what's happening in the loud and quiet areas.
I know I want to create with abandon until it's time to step back, look at what's there and start making decisions about the painting as a whole. I need to focus on doing and not get precious about what's already there because I know the minute I start trying to 'save' a bit I stop the flow of the work!
What am I doing about meeting those wants? Well, I'm looking at what I'm creating in a different way (which in itself is interesting) and I'm taking photographic 'notes'. I'm finding that taking close ups is a good way of recording the process and looking at the pictures afterwards is really helping me identify what I love, if anything, in each one. Most of the elements in these photos will be covered over by later layers but I now have images, from my own creations, that I can go back to for reference and I can use those to move my work forwards. And they are giving me compositional ideas too which has been a pleasant surprise! Here are three of my favourite 'bits' (yes, that's totally the technical term! lol) taken from the bigger piece on the front of the DEN.
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