|
|
"Dream Girl," 2019 Enamel wash and gesso on canvas, 7" x 10" James Thatcher 2019 copyright |
The diminutive “Dream Girl” begged for a larger version.
Replicating textures on a large scale is a recurring issue in the
studio. This was no exception and it has led to a new body of
artwork.
Using hay on a very wet surface would cause a paint wash to gather around
the hay and would theoretically result in a frost-like pattern that might
approximate that background texture.
Not so much. But pouring more paint over that experiment created
such an interesting result that I didn’t need the girl’s portrait
anymore.
|
|
"Dream" 2020 Enamel wash and alfalfa on canvas, 44" x
66" James Thatcher 2020 copyright |
The question of how to get that frost-like texture continued to puzzle
me. The next attempt was crumpled paper with an added wash.
The way the wash gathered in the wrinkles created wonderful possibilities
for free-style composing.
All other ideas have been banished.
Success caused me to prepare dozens of crumpled and washed papers to draw
into during the coming days.
|
| Forty papers. |
The “Emergent Images” series currently stands at 30 pieces which measure
7” x 10”. There are a few additional quarter-sheet works.
|
|
"Emergent Image #3" 2020 Enamel wash and pencil on
paper, 7" x 10" James Thatcher 2020 copyright |
|
|
"Emergent Image #10" 2020 Enamel wash and pencil on
paper, 7" x 10" James Thatcher 2020 copyright |
|
|
"Emergent Image #16" 2020 Enamel wash and pencil on paper,
7" x 10" James Thatcher 2020 copyright |
I look forward to creating drawings using full sheets (22” x 30”) as this series moves forward.
