I’m getting pretty excited about the Women Contemporary Artists retreat that’s coming up in a couple weeks. I’m bringing several pieces that you’ve watched me get started to hopefully, finish up!
This will be a blissful 4 days of dedicated Studio time with around 25 other women artists working with all kinds of media. I hope to return with minimally 3 finished pieces to add to the gallery “Artists on Main Street” here in Sarasota.
So there maybe a pause in my posting, as I focus on this immersion experience. (or maybe I’ll wind up sharing pix & thoughts from there - we’ll see!!)
Just thought I’d share some of my figuring out how to create this wave form that comes out of the wall. I’ve experimented with a few ways to achieve the feel I’m looking for - a wave that feels like it’s cresting into you. I want to be able to have areas of the “canvas” hidden from initial view, to inspire the curious to explore further (diving in, as it were).
One of the most important things I try to do in all my work is reward viewers for paying attention. I believe the more you look, the more you see. In all contexts!
Here’s the 40” sq piece a bit further along. I’m playing with interference paints over the dark blue in some of the areas, this means that as the viewer shifts positions, the color changes - yes, perspective changes everything!
Still more to do, not sure what I’m going to do on the edges of the box frame…
These pix show how I have wired the wings to the steel spiral using brass wire. I will use Apoxie Sculpt to wrap and transition the wiring so the wing will appear to flow from the steel. Once the Apoxie cures, I’ll use a heat gun to shape the wings’ outer edge into ruffles.
The small wave form is a maquette for a larger piece, this way I can confirm the work flow to use pvc sheet in different thicknesses (1/8”working surface & 1/4” sides) to create wall hung wave forms that I can paint. The actual size will be around 3-4’ wide x about 12” tall x ??deep.
I’m going to try and keep these wings thin and strong. Not sure if I will create ruffles in their outside edges yet, may add some playful movement.
This material is Sintra - PVC sheet, it can be formed using a heat gun to achieve simple or complex curves. There is actually a “grain” to this stuff, it bends very well in one direction and not much in the other (think bending cardboard in the same direction as the corrugations vs against them).
Below is a tulip design I’m working on for a fundraiser / community awareness project with Parkinson Place here in Sarasota. Sintra is such a perfect material since it’s light weight and durable. Parkinson patients are invited to paint these large tulips which will then be displayed in the community to raise awareness and eventually be auctioned off at an event benefitting Parkinson Place.
If you or someone you know might be interested in painting one, please email me at PamelaOlin@gmail.com.
