Step by Step...

i’ve been busy in my studio of late….creating lots of new pieces to display in the gallery.  it’s not very often that i remember to photograph the different steps of my process as they happen, but for this piece, i did.

here is the original unedited photo:

Mohawk Stamp Mill - Plumas Eureka State Park in Northern CA

here are some of the textures – i create them in my studio from paints and papers, scan them and then combine them digitally with the photo

the resulting textured image is printed on 190gsm archival fine art rag paper:

now for the background.... starting with a blank canvas:

 first layer of paint – combines some of the hues from the photo, applied with a brayer

 choosing papers to collage onto the canvas

 collaged layers with some paint added

(here is different piece collaged before the paint is applied: )

many more layers of paint are applied - usually with a sponge or other implement... until i get the look that i like.  each piece probably has about 20 colors in it!

the photo is attached, bordered with suede strips (each piece has different borders) and bits of burlap, rope and rust are attached.

voila!  i love doing this so much....

i just want to add that the whole process is extremely intuitive.... i have no idea where it's going when i start but i usually like where it ends up.  i'm learning to trust..... 8)

p.s.  (good thing i went back to the gallery to take the photo of the finished product because this one SOLD over the weekend.  yay!!)