Sketch Process Part Deux

In round two I thought I had things figured out, but then I went to paint. My painting went a different direction. It’s been a while since I created the “Alpha Series.” So, I guess I’m relearning what I did first. Then I I’ll work out where I go next.

Sketch Process

Here’s round one of sketches for the “Beta Series.” After drawing them, however, I’m not sure I want to use them. The mandala design has started to bore me. So most likely I will be aiming for something different. For the moment I'm just not sure I how I will accomplish a change.

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The idea for my final piece, in this batch, came from the light on my external hard drive. When I turn off the ceiling light, the blue light haunts my computer room. When I first purchased the drive, its blue light distracted me. It has taken some for me to get used to it.


acrylic on canvas, 5" x 5"

Again I began with a diamond shape on my canvas. I painted it blue surrounded by a darker blue. I then played with variations of light and dark blue to create the beams of light emanating from the center of my design. And thus, I conclude the “e” Reaction Series.

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In recent years, while visiting some people’s homes, I’ve noticed a lot of interiors decorated with earth tone colors – especially in some abstract artwork. My palette usually consists of pastel colors. Thus I figured I ought to give the earth tones colors a whirl. My previous painting “ve” was a trial run for this one.


acrylic on canvas, 5" x 5"

The first issue I ran into was communicating painterly expression using dots. The large abstract paintings that inspired me had very loose brush marks on them. I achieved a loose pattern by applying the dots irregularly. Also I thought about what colors go forward and backward in space. The finished image looks like some ancient symbol.

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On one of my visits to the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans I viewed an exhibit featuring the work of artist Mario Petrirena. The show consisted of collages and assemblages. I enjoyed the show enough to buy a catalog. In the back of my head I’ve known I wanted to do a piece having seen his work. The question became how to make my painting just
a painting.


acrylic on canvas, 5" x 5"

To begin I painted my canvas a muted red and pastel of the same color. Next, I mimicked circle cutouts by dabbing dotted lines. Then I mulled over what to add while flipping through the catalog. That’s when I saw an assemblage involving a hand. Placing my own hand over the canvas, I created an outline with dots. From there I filled in the positive and negative areas created. To finish I looked at an ornate design, before creating one of my own.

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Many of you will remember the scene in the “Matrix” in which Morpheus offers Neo a choice between the “blue pill” and the “red pill.” Well, that is what makes my story of coincidence amusing. A few years ago I picked up two medications prescribed by my doctor. Later that night when I went to take my pills, I discovered one was blue and the other one was red. In contrast to the film, I was not asked to choose between the two.


acrylic on canvas, 5" x 5"

From that moment I knew I wanted to make a painting based on the two pills. After some thought, I decided to divide my canvas down the middle with blue and red. I knew I wanted to use the shape of the two pills on top, but I was undecided about the lighting. Finally I decided to make the edge around the shapes the brightest. Now that I’ve finished I’ve noticed how much the shapes look like the number “ten.” However, that was not my intention.