Stripes from the Shoreline - every day in February 2019

The latest treasures collected from the shore ©2018LisaLeQuelenec

The inspiration for a project has come from a tiny page in a sketchbook that I shared in August 2017 (Time really does fly, I couldn't believe how long it had been when I checked back.) 

Stripes from the shore sketchbook page ©2017LisaLeQuelenec

The notes and small sketches on the A6 pages keep coming to mind as I walk along the beach and notice more and more ‘stripes’ not only in the little treasures that I pick up along the way but also in the actual beachscape itself. From bands of cloud, the bands of waves as they travel to shore and also in the groynes that protect the space from erosion. The more I notice, the more I feel that I need to make some work exploring these patterns. Not only the horizontals but also importantly the verticals that I find in the landscape. 

Stripes from the shoreline   ©2019LisaLeQuelenec

When I look back at my work over the last couple of years, I feel that I can see this motif emerging subconsciously more and more. Now I feel that it is time to recognise it more fully – to name it so to speak. I also have a hankering for making some work in a more abstract kind of manner. I have no sense of how these ideas could develop and feel open to possibilities so I have decided to make a mini project for the month of February a small collage a day to try out and maybe consolidate some ideas.

 

The 'palette'  ©2019LisaLeQuelenec

 
I work better when I have limitations so I have set some boundaries for myself to hopefully achieve a considered approach;
  
Each piece will have a base layer measuring 6.5x6.5cm (2.5x2.5 inch) square.

         Each piece may or may not have elements that break this boundary.   

      The palette will be a range of aqua, grey, white and cream opaque and semi-transparent papers that have been pre-painted or printed.

 Attention will be paid to the weight, balance, tension, edges, tone and texture. 

I may spend no more or less than 30 mins on each piece.   

In the interests of a cohesive body of work each piece will be mounted      onto a white textured backing paper measuring 15x20.5cm (6x8 inch).

I feel quite excited by the project idea. There are so many rabbit holes that I could wander down and the difficulty will be focussing on only one aspect a day. I am hoping to see a progression of ideas that evolve over the four-week period. Intentionally I am going to make an abstract piece as a starting point in the hope that I can brush aside any preconceived ideas – I wonder what will develop…. Tomorrow I will begin.

An art to wintering...

Quote from my sketchbook   ©2019LisaLeQuelenec

I am slow to get started this year. I found this quote in an old sketchbook recently and it resonated with me once again. I am trying to 'hibernate magnificently' ( it involves old sketchbooks and lots of coffee so far) refilling my well of energy and ideas and I am 'turning inward' for a while.

I was very fortunate to be given the book below for Christmas and I have been savouring it. So much of what is written expresses very elegantly what I have been trying to say for a long time. I am enjoying it immensely. I have to say though I was a little disappointed in the books reproductions as they have printed so dark. The work that I know of his is suffused with light - it's what attracts me to his paintings - so it is a shame to see them so dull in the book. However the written content more than makes up for this.

These grey days of Winter can be so tiring but today there is a little sun so I will try to top up my vitamin D with a walk and see what I can see.

Fred Cuming RA - Another figure in the landscape

A belated Happy New Year to all :o)