Another idea

I was looking at my images with the line painting of trees and I’m definitely going to go with that. I think it works, and I need to be mindful of exactly how much I can do in this period of time. Focusing on two large tempera landscapes, the middle family and friends portrait, and the bottom hell panel in 6 months is PLENTY. I ought to keep the design of the rest of the panels relatively simple. Looking at that image, I was reminded of drawings I have seen of body type things– brain activity, nerves, blood vessels, etc. I think the corresponding panel on the otherside will be just that! I’m going to try to focus it in on neural imagery. Mental health is such a tremendous issue these days, and in my opinion the number one inhibitor or provider of joy. Can you process things alright? Do you have a compassionate relationship with your emotions? Do you have a good grasp on reality, as well as a good distance from it when required? It’s what it all comes down to. So, there’s that panel.

As I was writing this, I made another connection. My sources feel so scattered at the moment… I’m glad to be thinking quick but a little wary of lack of focus. I think one day soon I’m going to have to sit down and map this all out. I think that day will be Monday. Anyways, the thought I had is about Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Very popular concept, of course. BUT– fascinating. I am making a secular altarpiece.  Alterpieces tell a tale. The ones I am working from come from the Christian tradition, so often the tale told is the life of Christ, or the story of salvation. The idea of a triangle (holy trinity) or ascendancy is repeated throughout Christian imagery. The path is often triangular– you move from broad, base instinct into some sort of focused pinnacle of virtue or attention.

Maslow’s hierarchy is genuinely this path to joy I have been getting at. Here it is, as a reminder:

I already have belonging incorporated in my piece, as the middle and primary panel. I think, with the neuro panel, and some of the decorative food bits I’ll be working on, I will have the physiological covered. I wonder if there is a way I could incorporate some of the rest? Especially self-actualization. I aim for realist painting, and these abstract concepts might be a little hard to express succinctly, but I would like to keep them in mind.

 

Well, here’s an idea…

I really enjoy linear drawings with a strong emphasis on negative space. Sometimes I really screw things up with tonality and color! Today I finished my study drawing for the bottom panel. Here it is, next to the panel which I traced it on:

In case it is confusing– the white drawing is a piece of paper on top of the panel. Something I am considering is leaving that bottom space as a line drawing. In this case, I would probably paint it again, with more attention to making it a line painting. When I was originally contemplating the intersection of my panels I wanted to include some linear pieces– not only because they are beautiful, but also because they emphasize the mapping aspect of things– drawing lines, making marks, connections. Here is an image that includes the middle painting as well (still in its unfinished state) to see how the two interact:

Obviously, I still haven’t addressed the two small paintings on the side (I chose to make it three on the bottom because I didn’t want three paintings, each going all the way across the panel). Another thing to remember is that I will be applying a strip framing over the piece, recreating that altarpiece aesthetic and creating even borders. So, the slightly blurred borders there now will be invisible. All that aside, I am liking the linear potential here. I think I will leave this for a bit while I work on the other paintings and see if the idea grows on me or leaves me.

And… today was a productive working day! Didn’t get to artwork until 5:30 but finished this drawing, two self-portraits, laid in that purple grey background, and transferred it. I’m eager to get some more work done on the large painting, but I think it is time to hit the hay. Over and out!

There is a moment of suspended belief upon wakening, a singular awareness of consciousness without thought before the past and future come rushing in, invaders of peace in the early morning light, for three weeks delight, after the end– pain. The invasion is the same though, the leaving of the present, the rejection of the present, when there is no truth evident– just the breathing of a human body, the noting of the light through the blinds (so early! is it time? no, it’s 4:30, it’s June, it’s summer, another). Emerge into the feeling, awake, maybe play some music, maybe eat a cookie, maybe eat a bowl of barley and kale with a sweet potato, maybe talk to your bro roommates, maybe feel joy, maybe feel sad, maybe miss one who’s gone, definitely feel bad for thinking about yourself so much, remind yourself that no one knows anyways, picture a ball of love, it’s in your chest, hope someday it can spread to the rest.