Not much art was accomplished this month. August was just so strange. We had a death in our family, moved my father-in-law from Santa Fe to our neck of the woods, the kids were home and finished with all their summer camps, and we did all the get ready for school stuff. With all that going on, I did get some time yesterday to do a deco page or two and I just had to post this page. It is not much to look at but I had such a chuckle over the theme. Basically I had to create a page using items that were meant for the trash. Since I very rarely throw out anything, because I just may need it one day, I not only had a good laugh but a hard time trying to find something to use. I even went through my two trash containers in my studio...Not much there except for used tissues (of the blow your nose variety) and a rotten apple core. The best I could come up with was an old magazine reviewing wines and a wine closure (which were in a pile of long forgotten items). So here it is. This is a pure collage, using Talbot's methods, nothing fancy. Since I was not too inspired this month, I was glad to have something to work on that brought a smile to my face.K
I used the papers made in the previous post for some ATCs. The small works were completed pretty darn fast because the backgrounds sort of spoke to me. I knew that the paper painted with shades of reds would be used for one ATC with a Mexico/Frida theme. I primarily used rubber stamps and permanent inks to create the art. The second ATC is collage done with Talbot's methods. There is one image that came from a rubber stamp. The third ATC was created from the paper with shades of blues. I chose rubber stamps again and a die-cut thingie. The ATCs are for a swap that I have due at the end of this month so this exploration was timely for me. K
Yahoo has a huge variety of Art groups to explore and learn from. I used to be a member of a good 40 or so but have cut that number to just a handful and currently, I am very, very careful about what groups I join. There is a variety of reasons for this caution, some of which are censorship, an inordinate amount of rules, egos, or just plain nastiness. Because there are so many art related groups, I still join new ones but I give myself a trial period, deciding at a later time whether or not there can be a mutual benefit. One such new group that I joined is called Art Explorations : http://groups.yahoo.com/group/artexplorations/. I joined this group at a tumulous time, one of ownership change. Change has never been an issue with me, change can be good. The new owner seems to have a clear idea of where this group will head and so at least for now, I am happy to check out all the fun things going on. One fun exercise is called the Monthly Exploration. If I understand the concept correctly, a technique or theme is voted upon, a member shares instructions, and then we create whatever the explortation is and share with the group. The exploration for August is ATC backgrounds. The instructions for this particular background technique were clear and concise with a tutorial and pictures. Since I have an ATC swap due at the end of August (with another group), I decided to complete the exercise. Large sheets, 8 1/2 by 11, of either heavy weight cardstock or watercolor paper served as substrates for the backgrounds. Our instructions were basically to mix acrylic paints with a acrylic medium such a a soft get, coat the surface of the substrate and then to create texture, use a paper towel and or plastic wrap. One can find the full instructions to this technique by joining Art Explorations. The two samples here are my finished papers. While I am not new to this technique, it was nice to have two new papers ready to go for my ATCs. The red toned page was made using 80lb burgundy card stock and I included a swatch of the original paper. This paper would not be my choice for this technique because it does not hold up well to the layers of acrylics, water, etc.. I rarely follow instructions but here is what I did: The card stock was first coated (using a brush) with a mixture of Goldens tit. white mixed with glazing liquid. I used the Goldens glazing liquid to give more body to my paint so that when I added texture using plastic wrap or paper towel, it would hold the patterns better. After that dried, I applied yellow ochre mixed with glazing liquid followed by plastic wrap and paper towel. After that dried I used Quinacridone crimson/glazing liquid followed by the same texture effects. Finally I toned down the colors using a wash of gesso. Before the gesso dried, I patted with paper towel. The texture is visual which is what I was looking for. This will make it easy to stamp on as well as collage. I can go either way. The second page, done in a variety of green and blues, was done on 140 lb water color paper (Arches), which is by far a better choice for this background technique. Using glazing liquid as above, I made mixtures of Cerulean Blue Deep ( applied to the paper with a brush and texturized), cobalt turquoise, chromium oxide green, cadmium yellow medium plus white, and the final glaze was watered down gesso. After each color was texturized it was dried before applying the next. The watercolor paper does not buckle and is very sturdy. I did use some plastic bubble wrap to give texture as well. I will use a variety of items to add interest to my backgrounds. Some of these include magic mesh, screenig, cheese cloth, and wax paper. In addition, I have done similar backgrounds using matte board as a substrate and 300 lb watercolor paper. These are more typical for my work as of late. For ATCs though, 140 lb watercolor paper is more than sufficient.
Next I will cut each page into ATC size "cards" and make my ATCs. These backgrounds can be enhanced when the art work is underway, or left to stand on its own. ATCs soon to follow.K
I have been thinking of writing a series of comments or short articles about where new artists, aka mixed media artists, get their inspiration from. I was hoping to write these for Susan Reynold's bog, "The Museum of Modern Paper." Susan has been under the weather as of late and busy with her business, so I decided to put these ponderings here. New mixed media artists, who are they, and why do they call themselves that? Well I can only speak for myself on this one. I rediscovered my artistic muse back in 1998 in the world of Rubber Stamps. I suppose many of you can relate when I say you need a 12 step program to recover from the buying frenzies! I am a recovering Stampahowlic, with an art studio overflowing with stuff. Every gadget, ink, paper, tool, book, media, bead, fiber, clay, that was ever invented resides on my shelves, counter tops, tables, and the floors in my studio. When I discovered that stamping was somewhat limiting for my artistic juices I moved on, purchasing a variety of acrylics, brushes, and subtrates in order to branch out into collage and, you got it, mixed media. With so much stuff, well I had / have to use it or wind up in divorce court. And so you have...the birth of another mixed media artist. And now that I have arrived, more or less, where do I get that inspiration from? I'd like to say that I am loaded with ideas but sadly that statement only goes so far.... I use several ways to develop ideas. The first and perhaps most straight forward is the "How to" books and instructional DVD's. I have some wonderful books by wonderful artists. They are well written with a lot of pictures. The instructional DVD's are one step above the books and are almost like taking a real workshop. Sadly, I am more of a hands on artist so I would much prefer taking a workshop with a real artist, meaning an alive person, one I can interact with! This is of course the most expensive route. Anyway, I always come away inspired from quality instruction. I have written about several workshops that I have taken in this blog. I hope to be able to continue in this vain! Each time I take a workshop I try to learn a new "technique." That can be literally a new technique or some small hint or shortcut that the artist likes to use. I zero in on that in the workshop, practice it, and then go home and practice it some more. This in itself leads to ideas because I want to use the new technique which translates into doing more art. Another way to "get ideas" is to study an individual work by some famous artist that you admire. Strangely enough, I did this when I was much younger. I would spend hours looking at Andrew Wyeth's work and then try to copy one of his paintings. Needless to say, I never mastered watercolor. But it was Jonathan Talbot who reaffirmed this way of developing a work and gave me "permission" to have at it. That is precisely what I did with Missing. This work is pure collage, using Talbot's methods. I incorporated bits and pieces of papers that we as a society normally just throw away. Nothing was purchased for the work. The vintage photo was obtained in a swap. So many collage greats from the 20th century used items from the world around them. Not that I could ever be in that league, but it sure is fun trying!I think I will try to explain my thought process and analysis in another article and for another piece. It might be fun to show the actual work that I dissected and then my attempt. Hmmm this could be very addicting indeed.k
Today I managed to actually get a little art done. I have not been really motivated lately because I have had cluster headaches on and off these past two weeks. I spent quite some time in bed just trying to settle my head. Here is a deco page I did in which we had to use an image that included the words Grow Peace. I promptly chopped the image up and used the words and some shapes that I punched from the image. This is a collage done on 140 lb watercolor paper using Jonathan Talbot's methods, acrylics, and inks. I also finished a challenge piece in which I interpreted "Every Picture Tells a Story." I will post that before the day ends tomorrow.K
Rosa is another 4 inch by 4 inch piece that I have decided to part with. I did this work several months back for a show with other artists. She depicts an era that has long gone by and is an example of a vintage piece. I used acrylics, inks, and watercolors to achieve the look. Watercolors are the primary medium and this faux fresco technique was taught by Mary Jo McGraw at a workshop I took with her years back. It is one of my favorites because I love to get my hands in the paint. When I am doing smaller works, I will often use this technique to create either a fresco look or a worn vintage look. The substrate is 140 lb Arches cold pressed watercolor paper which is mounted to archival matte medium. It can be seen at this URL if you interested : http://tinyurl.com/hp6doMary Jo describes this method in one of her video workshops,"Stamp Art Inspirations by Mary Jo McGraw." This is a wonderful video, easy to follow, and your piece will actually turn out the way hers did! However nothing beats taking an actual workshop. And I must say if Mary Jo is ever in your neighbor hood or vicinity, GO take her workshop. I have been lucky enough to attend three weekend workshops with her and I have never been disappointed. Her teaching style is laid back and she is so personable. She gets down and "dirty" with the entire group of students. I have always felt at home when she teaches and always come away some some new ideas, finished pieces that I actually like, and stained fingers. I think one of her most valuable gifts is that of honest encouragement. She is a "rebel" artist mixing media at will and that has led her to discover some interesting properties or uses of a variety of products that even the manufactures never dreamed of. Cool huh? The idea is not to be intimidated by anything out there and just give it a try....I don't know when I will be able to take another workshop from her because the stamp stores in our area have gone belly up. Her venue is usually through a Rubber Stamp store but I think she would be happy to see that I have grown as an artist because of her encouragement, going way beyond what I thought I ever could. Thanks Mary Jo! Rosa came about because of your methods!k
It has been some time since I listed any art on Ebay. I think the last time I listed anything was in December of 2005. The small 4 inch by 4 inch squares that I had been creating went to a show in an art gallery/coffee shop in Oklahoma. The show was a collaboration of artists all contributing work in the 4 by 4 format or Art Squared format as it is known on Ebay. Unlike ATC's, this collectible format gives more room for the artist to work with. Art Squares can be any size up to 14 by 14 inches. When the concept was first premiered, the 4 by 4 size was the only size allowed. So many of the artists involved in the movement have continued with that size. They are very addicting and fun to make. I will often work with a variety of substrates as well as media. This offering is call Innocence prevails and it is the 4th in a series of 4, exploring innocence. The other 3 sold. The work was done using watercolors, inks, and acrylics, as well as found objects on 140 lb watercolors paper. For those who love to collect ATC's, this format offers a bit more variety. I have seen oils, watercolors, pen and ink, collage and more done on wood, matte board, canvas, paper etc... You can do a search on Art Squared and see the variety.
K
My new scanner arrived and I spent most of the morning installing and setting it up. Then I spent another hour or so going through the features that this Hp has. I had an old Hp scanner and you would think that at least some of this new software would look familiar. NOT. It is amazing how much the technology has been upgraded. My old, now defunct, scanner was 3 years old. I guess our world considers the scanner a pretty disposable commodity. Anyway, here is a deco page for an African Mask deco. I needed to test this thing out.K
I am waiting as patiently as I can for my new scanner, but it is driving me insane. You would think that with the speed of today's computer systems, phones, cameras etc.., that we could find a way to get stuff delivered faster without costing an arm and a leg! And isn't that the way our society is. We are so connected, maybe too connected, that we go insane when something breaks. So I won't let go of any of my art without making a jpeg of it. The scanner is an extension of my work. I have a good digital camera but I much prefer the look of the work when scanned. I use my camera for works that can't fit on the scanner bed. OK so here I sit....waiting.... and my art work is piling up waiting to be scanned. It seems appropriate that I post a mixed media piece that I did this past February called Insane. I did this work on a piece of black glossy cardstock. Found papers, inks, and a cool clip art image make up the bulk of the work. k
Well, today was one of those sucky days. I woke up at 4:30 AM with a Migrane. Headaches and I go way back...to my early youth. It was severe and literally incapacitated me. With three children and 2 dogs...that simply won't do! I even had to cancel my haircut this AM. I was down for the count. By noon I started to feel like I could move. Thank God my kids did not have any of their dance camps today. I sat down to scan some art work and my scanner "blew" up. So I am down one scanner to boot. I ordered one from Best Buy and won't be back in the saddle again for about 7 days! The art work I completed was for decos and they must go into the mail by the 30th of this month. Hopefully the scanner will arrive a little early. And even as I write this, my headache is still there, dull, but still there. Maybe tomorrow will be better.I decided to upload something I did quite a while back. I am posting it in honor of the King Tut exhibit that just arrived at our Field Museum in Chicago. The image came from a small post card announcing the exhibit. And this is a mixed media piece. I don't remember what substrate I used but I think I used 140 lb water color paper. Acrylics, inks, and a do dat.
K
I received, not too long ago, a deco with the theme of Fishheads. The artist included some silly poem about rolly polly fishheads that I only vaguely remembered from my childhood. I had no clue how to interpret the darn theme until I came across a a clipart image of a boy riding a fish. I can't give credit to the individual who posted the image because I do not remember where it came from but I thought it might be perfect for my page in the deco book. I painted a simple ocean/sky scene and affixed the image. I hand lettered the words and added some capitol letter stickers to complete the piece. This was done on 140 lb cold pressed water color paper. Acrylics, inks and stickers were used. The lesson learned with this piece...It is all about the process. Finding that perfect image took a while but once it was found, the work came together quickly.k
I managed to kill two birds with one stone with this photo. I needed a simple gift for my husband from the two newest members of the pack..Mandy and Tigger. So off to the backyard with skin kids and dogs in tow. We framed this photo in one of those themed frames with dog paws and bones surrounding it. I also needed a picture of Tigger (our newest addition) for the Greyhounds Only adoption group. Although this is not a full body shot, at least it shows that we are all happy!Tigger is an absolute joy. He gets along greyt with Mandy and he is very loving. You can almost read his soul by looking into those eyes. With every kiss he gives there is confirmation of his gratitude. He was a little nervous and skittish when he brought him home but with patience and love, he has settled right in. If you have never loved one of these greyt dogs, I recommend checking out the numerous adoption agencies for greyhounds. They are so grateful for a forever home. K
It has definitely been awhile since I posted. So much has happened since my Aunt's 90th. We brought home a second greyhound whose name is Tigger. I have been walking both dogs 4-5 times daily (no fenced in yards allowed in our area) taking anywhere from 20 minutes to 35 minutes per walk! And with a new boy, you pretty much have to play alpha all day, except when they are sleeping. Happy to say things are beginning to settle. Mandy is definitely alpha to Tigger but at least they know who top dog is :))))) I have to upload a picture of them soon.Last week, we had rehearsals and more rehearsals and then performances and more performances of the ballet, Sleeping Beauty. All three of my children had major parts. My husband and I are still recovering. The kids were great. I was one proud Mom.
Yesterday I was finally able to do my first collage in almost a month! This one is approximately 4 by 6 and is for a deco with an Einstein theme. It was done on 140 lb water color paper using acrylics, stamps, found papers, and ink. I used an inkjet print of Einstein and the color was originally black and white. After fixing the image using workable fixative and then a matte fixative, the color changed. I like it actually. It aged without me even thinking about it :))) Love when stuff like that happens. I have several more deco pages in the works to complete my deco obligations for this month and then I hope to work on a collage challenge posted on the Midwest Collage Society's yahoo group.
My dear, sweet Aunt Mari turned 90 this past weekend. I was lucky enough to attend. My husband, three children, greyhound, and I piled into our van, drove 3 hours north to Appleton, WI, and along with several other out of state cousins, surprised the he_ _ out of her. Mari's three children planned a lovely party with many of her friends from the retirement community that she lives in, friends from the suburb outside of Milwaukee where she used to live, and her nieces and nephews (that would be me for one). The look on her face when my family and I entered the room was well, priceless! She cried and laughed at the same time. So did I. In this first picture, Aunt Mari is in the middle and her two grandchildren are on either side. The other three are mine. The children presented her with 90 roses. And then I presented her with my collage (the second picture). I can't tell you how much she loved it. There was a scrap book of sorts with many of the same photos in it, along with displays boards, but the collage stood out. Many were amazed at the construction of the work and others wanted to know the symbolism for some of the papers that were used. I am so glad I attempted this and was so pleased with the outcome. K
It is finished! Last night at about 10:00 CST, I put the finishing touches on my Aunt Mari's collage. This was a new process for me. I used Jonathan Talbot's methodologies, but I still needed to work some things out for myself as I put the piece together. Since I most recently have journeyed from a rubber stamp world into mixed media and collage, I felt at first that this was like putting a scrapbook page together. Boy was I wrong. The process began with careful scanning and manipulation (with a crappy photo editor) of more photos than I care to think about. Then I hunted for old maps, recipes and other found papers. After about a week of gathering the material, I was off to the copy center to make color copies. More decisions at the copy center were made (do I want more yellow in the copy etc). Finally I had all the material assembled with the exception of just a few alphabet letters. On Monday of this past week, I coated everything I had with acrylic medium (as per Jonathan's method). I coated way to much but that is OK because I can use the left over material in other works. While that was drying (both sides of the copies had to be coated), I prepared my water color paper. I used 300 lb arches natural (really yummy stuff). The final size of the paper was 16 by 20 which I then masked off to 11 by 14. The background was added to the substrate (an old dress pattern) and some acrylic paint "splashed" on. Then that surface was coated with acrylic medium. This entire process (with drying time) took about 24 hours. On Tuesday I began to cut out and arrange the photos and papers. This was an ardent and almost nerve racking experience. There was so much material and I had this idea going that just was not translating to the substrate! I knew I had to have most of the work finished by Tuesday because of my time schedule. After arranging, rearranging, and arranging again, I had something that was pleasing to my eye. I did not want to alter the photos too much (as in a David Hockney look) because my Aunt is after all 90, and I don't think she would have recognized or understood that type of approach. I did have one dilemma though. I really like to integrate my background, especially when I am using a variety of different items. How was I going to do that and keep the arrangement I had in front of me. I had some of the photos tucked behind background elements, in the center of background elements etc...and I did not want the photos integrated into the work. So I settled for a happy medium (no pun intended). I made a detailed drawing of where all the pieces were supposed to be on the substrate and then assembled the collage in sections so I could integrate, at least partially, some of the background. It worked fairly well and although the background papers are not fully integrated, I am pleased with the outcome. A few minor additions were made, the piece was sealed and varnished, titled, and there you have it! A srapbook page? I think not, but you tell me...is it art or craft?So today is Thursday and I am off to frame the work. Saturday is the big surprize party. I hope she likes it!
I have been frantically trying to pull together the material I will need for my Aunt's birthday present. She turns 90 this Saturday! My family and I are heading up to Appleton, WI to celebrate with her. It will be a huge surprise because she has not seen out children in maybe 10 years. So, my cousin, her oldest son, has sent me files of pictures of her and my uncle and other cousins. And the files sat for two weeks. Why? For those of you who have school age children know that the school year is fast coming to a close. I have been swamped with my children's school projects (I hate this time of year) and have not been able to do any art. Today I was able to get to Staples to make some color copies of the materials. Now I have one week to finish. Here is a sweet picture of my Aunt Mari when she was maybe 2. I will be using this one for sure. If nothing else, this project will be a real walk down memory lane. I found an old Newsweek from 1946! Will be using some of that in the collage! I also found my Dad's Boy Scouts membership card from the 1930s. My Uncle (Mari's husband) and my Father were brothers (both deceased). I also found a recipe from my Aunt Mari that my Mom used for years and years. We called it "Aunt Mari's chocolate cake." My Aunt Mari is the last of my aunts. My parents, and my Dad's two brothers, are gone. So this project is very near and dear to me. My Aunt does not even know that we are coming and the gift, I hope, will be icing on the cake.K
I finished my first challenge for the Midwest Collage Society. The Spring challenge was posted a while back on the Yahoo list. We were challenged to come up with a spring abstract landscape. I thought it might be fun to step out of my comfort zone and I think for a first try, it turned out OK. My inspiration for the the piece is spring in New Mexico. We have traveled to New Mexico many times over the years because my in-laws live in Santa Fe. I think spring is my favorite my season there. It is so alive and fresh. Green is a rare commodity in many areas of New Mexico but in the spring, near Santa Fe, the mesas come to life. And there you have it.The work is done on watercolor paper, 140lb. A variety of found papers were used, and acrylic paints. I did this collage using Jonathan Talbot's method. I plan on mounting the work to an 8 by 10 piece of watercolor paper. The finished size will be 8 by 10.Now I have to get to business on my Aunt's collage...Have to finish before the 20th of May.K
I have three pieces I would like to start and finish before the 20th of May. Now that I have a space cleaned off on my table in my studio, I can finally get down to "business." I need to do something "artsy," as my cousin says, for my Aunt Mari's 90th birthday. OK so no problem right, HA. I decided to do a collage work ,about 11 by 14 in size, of family photos over three generations, from not only her immediate family, but mine, and another cousin's as well. So this is the work that absolutely needs to get done by the 20th of May and I have not even started! I did get a commissioned work done and although it is a minor piece (I had to work with this of photo of Jack), I am pleased with it. The third piece is for a challenge with the Midwest Collage Society. This commissioned work is called Jack of all Trades and is a mixed media piece using Jonathan Talbot's methods. It is interesting how this piece came about. I was at a Dog Workshop at our local college. We listened to topics on holistic approaches to dog care, dietary concerns, animal communication etc... I had a small notebook ( the kind used to take notes in) and I had altered the front cover with a collage. The subject matter was greyhounds. Everyone who knows me is aware of my passion for the breed and that I have rescued two, soon to add a third. A friend that owns a locals pet store catering to holistic, organic, natural products, wanted one as well , but her breed is the Jack Russell Terrier. She gave me a picture of her departed "Jack." I did not know anything about the breed, so I researched it some and this is what I came up with. The work is done on 140 lb watercolor paper and is approximately 6 1/2 by 9 1/2. I could not bring myself to mount the work on a notebook so I copied the work and I will put that copy on the cover of the notebook and give her the original. I hope she likes it.I have the pieces laid out for the collage challenge and hopefully I will get some time this weekend to assemble it. The challenge called for a spring abstract landscape in either a 4 by 6 or 8 by 10 format. I have already broken the rules...no big surprise, because I think the finished piece will be somewhere in-between those two dimensions.k
Today is a dreary one here in Northern Illinois. I am trying to clean of space in my studio so I can begins to create once again. I have three works in mind for various commitments. Hopefully I will be able to gather materials for one of them today.On Berger's book, The Success and Failure of Picasso, this was the first biography on an artist that I have ever read. Jonathan Talbot recommended it and so I purchased it on Amazon. Berger is an excellent writer and he drew me into Picasso's life with the first sentence of the book. I really did not have any strong opinions about Picasso one way or another prior to this book. And this was largely because of my lack of knowledge about the man and artist. I can say, however, that I have always been an admirer of his work because of the great emotions that stirred within every time I viewed any of them. Berger's book taught me a great deal about the man and his art! Picasso's environment shaped him and so much of his art reflects troubled emotions. I remember the reaction I had when I viewed Guernica while in Madrid (pictures in a book do not due the work justice). My husband and the couple we were with, left me alone...I wept. I am not sure the guards knew what to make of me but I wept and wept...Such passion and sadness..... I think I have always wanted to learn more about Picasso but never took the initiative. I was intimidated by the material available to research...He always seemed so, well, so out of reach, so hard to understand or comprehend... so larger than life...Berger changed that for me! He did a super job of laying a foundation for his discussion about the artist, such that even a complete art history virgin, such as myself, could follow where he was leading. I often felt guilty for not loving ALL of Picasso's art because I could not put my arms around all of it. Many pieces disturbed me or I thought they were not that good or not befitting a genius. The guilt was there because I knew he was a genius and so many critics find no fault with his work. Well now I understand why I feel that way. Berger's work is a must read. It helps to dispell some of the myths surrounding the man and his art.
Today I have a little more time. My 11 year old son had a friend over yesterday to celebrate his birthday and well we were hoping again as usual. I had no time for profound thoughts (LOL). So hopefully today I will finish Jonathan Talbot's reply to the challenge he gave me. This collage was also done in Jonathan's workshop at the beginning of April. This one used his methods which are described in his book "Collage, A New Approach." If you are interested in a copy you can purchase one via his website or attend a workshop and get one as part of the class. I often find myself making political and moral statements through my work. I doubt this piece will ever sell because of the nature of the it. I did need to make this statement and I think it had been brewing inside me for some time. For whatever reasons, it just spilled out of me at this workshop. I call the piece "Choices."KL: "Your paintings and your body of work makes your statement, be it personal, social, political, or philosophical as my research and publications make mine. Am I onto something here?"JT: "What I think you are moving toward is the realization that YOUR visual artwork will make your statement in the future just as your research and publications (and professional relationships) did in the past... and professional relationships will be important in the artb world as well."KL: "No wonder I am in the process of exploring my own creative expression. JT: "No, there is no surprise in it... You are, because of your experience set, particularly well equipped for this explorative process."KL: "As for more concrete relations between the visual arts and microbiology...here is one microbiologist's perspective....."JT :" I enjoyed you making a painters palette out of Eosin, malachite green, carmine, gentian violet, fuschin, and methylene blue. Do you know that during the renaissance most artists manufactured their own paints (they did not, however, always grind the pigments as there were others who did that... but the artists tended to buy the pigments as powders)."KL: " Clusters of grapes, spiderous shapes, four leaf clovers, worms, chains, corkscrews, and threads ... a variety of colonial morphologies [such] as cavernous, volcano like, mesas and mountain ridges, milky ponds, slick ice patches, snowflakes, and wispy cotton candy. I once remember thinking that I was looking at a southwest landscape. The petri dish contained rich hues of sepia, burnt sienna, raw umber and colonies took on the shape of giant mesas." JT: " The basic shapes of microbiology are not so different, it would appear, from the plane, cube, cone, and cylinder of the first year composition class... "
KL: " Mold and filamentous type organisms offer perhaps the greatest arrays of color and shapes that I have ever seen. These organisms are often highly pigmented and beautiful shades of greens, blues, yellow, reds, and browns can be observed. The pigments are rich and often are secreted into the growth medium making for an even more spectacular show. The color are sometimes surreal, fluorescent, iridescent... and always spectacular. Colony morphology is as varied as the color and can be described as great craters (like the moon craters), cauliflower heads, fluffy cotton balls, and waves (like the ocean)."JT:" This passage sounds like a review in Art News!"KL: " Finally, the way I approached my research should serve me well as I explore the visual arts. Experiments were planned based upon current theories, very carefully, and methodically. It was however, with a bit of serendipity and a I don't give a damn what others think attitude (of course when things weren't going well), that the most satisfactory results were obtained. "JT: " Well said.."KL: "Although I have no formal training in the arts... that will not hinder my process but rather challenge me to go forward. "JT: " Since you have already acquired one formal disicipline (microbiology) and became (I quote from your message) "a sought after trainer because of [your] skills" you now have what you need to acquire formal knowledge in a new disicpline (plastic or visual arts). The knowledge is there, the trainer is there (you), the student is there (you), colleagues are there (artists everywhere, those living and those who have gone before, leaving their work behind), mentors are there (you will find them)."KL:" In closing, I don't know if this piece is what you were looking for but it is what I was looking for. For me this has indeed been a revelation, a closure and a new beginning all in one! JT: "Of course what I was looking for had more to do with process than product. But as I understand the process by which you put the "dissertation" together, and as I read the results of that process, there is a sense of satisfaction and I am grateful to you for it."KL: " My work is for me now and may always be [a revelation, a closure and a new beginning all in one!] "JT: " This single sentence is enough to form a firm foundation for a lifetime of work... May I quote you?"Cordially, JonathanAnd so there you have it. Jonathan is a remarkable artist, capable of greatness. But more wondrous to me is what a remarkable human being he is. He read my little dissertation and put thought into a response, one that he knew instinctively, would be very, very important to me. Jonathan, if you are reading this, I thank you again for taking the time to indulge me. You words have made, and still continue to make, a difference in how I approach my art and my life.K
