It’s a bit of a wonder, the creative process. First there’s nothing, then there’s something. Magic. In this post we’ll take a look at a few paintings and their formation as well as a number of new pieces created in similar ways on Anne’s press. First, the music. (Drum roll please.)

Four stages of Cellist Soulful

I myself wonder how a painting is going to go. I’d recently sold an abstract painting of a cellist through a gallery and thought I’d replace it. But this one took another direction style-wise. So rather than fight it, I just followed it.

Cellist Soulful, oil on canvas, 28×20

Here’s how it finished. One of my favorite parts of this painting is the cello itself, the bottom portion where it’s just a mess of light strokes without much definition. But, in context, it fits. Sometimes a painting is a verb, not a noun. Also, the cellist’s face, which I once had more detailed, is smooshed out to look like the rest. It’s an adjective, not a noun (“soulful”).

The first stage of a four-painting set. (Click on these to view larger.)

Sometimes a painting begins as a complete abstract. In this case, I had a remnant of unstretched canvas which I taped to the studio wall. I wanted four paintings so I masked it accordingly. After that it was random. I could have stopped at this point.

Stage Two.

I put in a few “heads” as I thought I wanted figures. It was one of my students who said she saw “musicians.”  So that’s the direction it took.

Stage Three.

I had no reference but what the various shapes suggested. Some of those were sacrificed, others augmented. Lines were introduced for guidance. Working thoughtfully, not sure where it was going, here it is a few days in.

Ensemble 1, oil on canvas, 20×16

In the end I removed the masking tape and mounted the canvas as four separate pieces, each ensembles of musicians.

Ensemble 2, oil on canvas, 20×16

Some of the serendipity of random strokes and shapes and colors is still there, others have become building blocks of recognizable form.

Ensemble 3, oil on canvas, 20×16

It’s the creative process. As in Genesis, we take a bunch of raw material, apply whatever wisdom we can muster, then breathe life into it. What comes out is “finished,” but still looks like a work in process . . . just like every one of us.

Ensemble 4, oil on canvas, 20×16

The four painting set could be purchased and displayed together or broken up in any combination. That’s one advantage of painting this way . . . a number all at once. Here it’s quadruplets. Magical.

Traces of Yesterday, monotype, 9.75×9

Here’s a sampling of a recent creative spurt by Anne resulting in much new work. Though she doesn’t photograph her work as she’s making it, the process is much the same as above. She starts with a blank sheet, some raw materials, and a general idea. (That’s not mentioning her profound, yet understated, aesthetic sense.)

Fragments, monotype, 11.75×9

Fragments seems a good title for this piece. Aren’t we all just a bunch of such, sometimes coming together in some sort of organized grouping? And, like this, it can make good sense.

Traces for Tomorrow,
monotype, 9×9

Subtle touches and muted colors, found bits, scratches in still-wet ink, all building layer after layer under the pressure of the hand press, each contributes to the finished art. At what point it is finished is something only the maker knows. Each one beautiful and unique. Just like every one of us.

Consolation, monotype, 8×6

Of course, the digital files you’re looking at here don’t do justice to the art, which is actually dimensional in texture and has many subtleties in the layering of color. Her work has recently been delightfully “discovered” by a number of designers. It’s time, says me.

 

 

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New Work

Many new pieces are scattered throughout our respective websites.
Click here for paintings.
Click here for Anne’s originals. 

Blank Slate

The new literary blog, Blank Slate is currently featuring insights and personal applications from the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes. Subscribers are finding it a lively discussion. Back issues are viewable on this website, above right. Or better yet: To subscribe, click here.

Moore & Moore Art Gallery in Dana Point

Open by Appointment
33752 Big Sur, Dana Point, California 92629
949-240-4642

Semi-Private Coaching for Painters

Offering 2-hour sessions on Monday and Wednesday and Saturday mornings
in the Hyatt Moore Studio, Dana Point.
For more info click Art Coaching Flyer.
Or call  949-240-4642

Printmaking Classes

In the Anne Moore studio, Dana Point
To see more of Anne’s, work go to: www.annesprints.com
Call 949-240-4642