Hi Friends,
I’ve had the idea for a while to try pouring paint in drippy overlapping layers, and I finally had time to try it out last week. My objective was to have fun and let each piece tell me what it needed next instead of having a well-thought-out plan in advance.
These paintings are inspired by my weaving, with the linear crosshatch detail resembling woven strands of thread.
They start out messy, and don’t coalesce into something pleasing until the final layer is applied. I never know in advance which layer will be the final one until something I do finally pulls the piece together, and it looks complete.
Here’s how they start out. These two pieces show how the first three layers of paint typically look.
And here are four finished pieces. The paintings are made up of six to ten layers of paint, and each layer has to dry before the next layer can be applied. I like the assymetrical design and complementary colors of these pieces.
Click on the images to see them in a browser.
“Destination Unknown,” 30 x 40 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Bits and Bytes,” 30 x 40 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Spaghetti Logic,” 36 x 48 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
“Crossed Wires,” 30 x 40 inches, repurposed acrylic latex paint on canvas
I’m really enjoying this process, and I have three more pieces in progress. It’s a very different look from my previous work.
What do you do for fun? I’d enjoy hearing your thoughts. You can share them with us in the comments section below.
With love and appreciation,
Cassandra
Love these new drippy weavings! Really creates depth in the paintings, like seeing through to what’s below. Great colors too.
Thanks, Holly. It’s interesting to me how each one turns out so different. Even though they kind of start out the same, they diverge pretty quickly. I like not having control and just seeing what happens!
I really enjoy the energy and colours/layers of colours in this body of work
Good you!!!!!!
Thank you, Gail. They were a bit of a surprise to me, especially the way that each one looks so different from the others. Serendipity!
Love that these were inspired by your weaving! The layering of colors gives such an interesting dimension, as if looking through a forest…
I do admire your diligent practice, the experimentation and exploration.
I’m just getting back into my studio and a groove and have been sketching/drawing patterns for new woodblocks and I am rather enjoying it!
Thanks, Maria. I go through periods where I’m more productive than other times. Summer is my favorite time to work on my paintings, because it’s warm and I can set them outside to dry. In the winter it can take many days for each layer to dry, and I kind of lose momentum. I find winter to be better for smaller projects that I can do inside, like weaving. Your woodblocks sound intriguing! Will you use them to print fabric or paper prints?
Love these new paintings and technique
❤️
Thank you, Debbie. I appreciate your feedback!