Tuesday, May 11, 2010

The Muse Returns - new series






The Muse Returns 1-6 - Acrylic on 16" x 20" canvases

What can I say - I am in love with this new series! I was at a bit of a stand off with my abstracts and muddling around with too much color, too little focus and too many ideas all at once. My husband and I were watching a television show and I saw these giant black and white abstracts that really inspired me. Something clicked that limiting my palette might free me up to new ideas, new ways of painting and exploring marks. Things just took off from there. I'd love to hear your thoughts and reactions to these new paintings!

7 comments:

Škorčica said...

Unique: black&white (to calm down our thoughts) with a touch of red (to give it the spice).

Kendra Zvonik said...

Wonderful work, Jessica!

I actually looked at these last night and wanted to spend a little time thinking about them before responding to you. They are very thoughtful paintings and deserve some real contemplation.

Cleansing your palate/palette once in awhile, as an abstract painter, seems crucial to keeping your skills sharp. Color is so powerful and likes to convince us that it is the only element worth considering in abstract painting. So persuasive!
But, being the focused artist that you are, you know it is YOU that it is in control of the work, not color.

What is left when you take the color out of the picture is the SUBSTANCE . . . the form, the line, the thought, the action(!), and the energy.

This series is truly compelling and telling of what kind of space you are in presently. I admire and respect that you are challenging yourself this way. It shows true discipline and dedication to your craft. And when you return to color, this keen focus will guide your work. Great decision! Great paintings!

Kendra Zvonik said...

This one is my personal favorite: THE MUSE RETURNS 4

I like the suggestion of blue in the background. EFFECTIVE use of minimal, less than minimal, color in these pieces!

Ginni Bingham LeVar said...

I do love the color combination. I don't often use black, white and red anymore but went back to it last month for a couple of paintings. I actually sold one of them so I think I might revisit those simple, yet striking colors again.

Cate said...

Was just steered to your site--can't remember how I got here, but I am going to look at this series awhile--really like each one and admire your work very much. It's amazing how much can be said in another "way."

Cate at Heart on My Sleeve repurposed jewelry and the words that go with them...

Sally Veach said...

Jessica,
I really like the new turn your art has taken. I find it is interesting that it was after you went outside to paint a landscape that you were then able to free yourself for new inspiration! Perhaps it's just that you were looking...

Totally new look: employing the very graphic black circular forms on white background with red is very powerful and refreshing!

Sylvie Van Hulle said...

These works are fantastic!!!