The three artists I chose to focus on for this project all used paint or their mediums of choice in an unusual and beautiful way. Although each artist generally stayed true to the traditional square or rectangular shaped limitations of their canvases, the nature in which they applied paint or their mediums of choice explored different methods and encouraged me to play with form and lines in ways I normally would not.
I enjoy Jim Lee’s work because he takes a subtle approach to painting. Initially when I begin brainstorming for new projects, I feel the need to use every part of the canvas or space, sometimes unnecessarily and recklessly. His limited color palette and selected use of space allowed me to have a better understanding of how form and color can become more significant through our decisions to present them under certain conditions. I decided to limit my use of colors for the pieces I am currently working on because I want to emphasize the significance of one color against another. Although the black hair I use is thin and straggly, the crisp white atmosphere in the background gives strength to the black lines. Lee’s pieces have given me a better understanding of the importance of simplicity and how color limitation can emphasize two opposing colors and form.
I found Pia Fries’ work to be beautiful! She has a sculptural component to her paintings that make her interesting. Fries’ work encouraged me to incorporate different mediums other than the traditional paints into my pieces. I experimented with both real and fake hair along with exploring different textures I was able to create through oil paints. Using only a pallet knife, I painted the sky on eight tiny canvases. Just like Fries, I thickly and applied paint on the surface of my canvases.
Gertrud Goldschmidth, also known as Grego is another artist whose work I was attracted to. Grego repetitively uses simple lines to create beautiful gestures and scenes in his two pieces Reticularea, 1973 and Untitled, 1966. Like Grego, I wanted to use black lines to create moments of intensity as well as moments of delicate fluidity. Using black hair, to create such moments I took into consideration Grego’s use of geometric forms created by various black lines. Unlike Grego, my work will have sculptural characteristics where, the black lines physically come off the canvas. Like Grego, I will use these lines to create a diverse range of light and dark. I will also present the lines as a whole instead of identifying each line as a single unit, just as Grego does in his pieces.
All three artists were helpful in their own way. Through each artist’s technique and style, I have gained a better understanding of different approaches I can take to painting.
