When I think about whether something is prepared, I necessarily end up thinking "prepared for what?" There is a directionality to preparation. To ready the surface of this painting, I applied matte acrylic gesso to Pescia cotton printmaking paper. This application was a reflection of my intention. I meant the paper to be a suitable surface for pastel painting. By applying matte gesso, I created a surface that was receptive to the medium to come, namely pastel. The surface is prepared for an end. I see in painting an important principle, that of intentionality. When I pause and think, the theme of intentionality emerges from the painting process as a reminder of a general approach I should have toward my various activities.
I prepared a sheet by tearing it down to size so I could again prepare the surface with acrylic in order to present enough "tooth" to the pastel to come, which is part of an aesthetic preparation and composition intended for a viewer. But first intended to be an arena for my own exploration of geological and floral accident and contingency. Increasingly apparent now are the layers and levels and objects of preparation in any aesthetic endeavor. Intention within intention. Ends and means and means to ends. This picture served the end of drawing practice, that of color experimentation/trial and error, the end of producing a body of work that coheres. This painting has built into it the dual and conflicting intentions of remaining in my possession, while being available for acquisition by another. I intend this scene to impress, move and depict accurately some fraction of topography enlivened by photons, galvanized by green and gold geography. In intend that you are intentional. Attend to that which you intend.
1 Comment
9/5/2014 11:41:01 am
Most of life is pulling things close , embracing and then realizing we have to let them go. It would be the bittersweet of Life.
Reply
Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
Leave a Reply. |
J0hn Hunter Speier
Recent work, and explorations of techniques, aesthetics and poetics. Archives
August 2022
|