So I have a feeling some of you were saying, 'Why is she showing that painting again? We saw it just recently and I know it was a test run playing with some paint on paper.'Well Fiona had me thinking about cropping when she suggested I might find something fun in the painting I did in the post just before this one. Fiona always makes me think through lots of options, in case you haven't noticed.
Okay, so I was thinking about what I might find if I did some cropping on some of these test papers I have done over time. The little painting I use on my profile is a crop. I wish it was not as tons of people have thought I did it as a large painting...it is tiny. So I was looking at this on my computer and using the crop tool to look at it in a variety of ways and this is what I came up with:
Now I wish I had this as a large painting! Pooh! Well, what can I say? Sometimes you get what you get. Do you find yourself cropping things and wishing they were larger, uncropped works? Do you ever try to "reproduce" the treasure you have found? Now this reminds me of an article I was reading this morning about how setting goals can really backfire, so maybe this cropping thing kind of keeps me free. Of course, this idea is clearly not news to those of us who spend time in the studio each day. We know what goal setting in the studio can do to a work. This apparently is some kind of revelation to business types. Yes, we know goals can be powerful tools, but often it is how those tools are used that makes the difference, right? Anyway, go read the article, I think you might find yourself chuckling to yourself. Are you a goal setter, in general? Or do you really fly through your life by the seat of your pants? In case anyone is new here, I am absolutely the "fly through" kind of person.
As always, I am eager to hear your thoughts. I hope you find a lot of lovely studio time this week. I know I am searching for some of that!
Now, I am off for a few blog visits. Please be patient with me as my list grows by the moment!
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26 comments:
This would be gorgeous as a large painting........but it is what it is and it is just perfect the way it is!
i do love cropping things and then putting them back together in a different way, it always surprises me. this is gorgeous, and just the right size too. hugs.
amazing.....my motto is..do not search..you'll find
hug
Hi Marianne,
Oh, you are so right...I can't do much about that now, can I? Oh well, something else will come along. :) It is fun to see, though.
Thanks Marianne
Love,
Kim
Thanks Soul,
I think you are amazing with your puzzle making and assembling skills. I suppose I am not all that experienced with this trick as I tend to just leave things in the corner of shame for a long time. I am going to have to do something about that corner...it grows as we speak! :) Maybe this is the answer.
Thanks Soul
Love,
Kim
Hello Yvette!
I am laughing here...so right you are!
Love,
Kim
Hi Kim,
I prefer cropping as opposed to trying to recreate something the same or similar. I can never capture the same thing the second time,but this is ok because something new can come out of it instead which may lead to a path I wasn't planning on. I think a good creative path is always like this, with no 'linear progression' but many sideways possibilities. Goals are good, and essential but I think the goal should be to reach a point where you look at the painting and say to yourself "There's nothing more I need to add to this to say what I want to say at this time." Then it's on to the next one!! ;)x
Kim, these are lovely! If you don't already do so you should make some note cards out of them. Thank you for visiting my blog and leaving so many fantastic comments. To answer your question about my husband's "girl art"... no, I am not his model but wish I had a body like that!
Hi Kim, isn't it great to crop a painting? Something very precious can appear which can then stimulate an idea for another larger painting. I sometimes collage a cropped image onto a larger piece of paper and continue to explore.
Goal setting can really confuse the whole creative process, it just doesn't have a place in the experimental side of things.
Have a great time in your studio!
Hey Kim,
Thank you so much for the mention. Very kind of you to say that I get you thinking...you give us all food for thought with every post!
My wonderful old art teacher Fred Sinkinson used to advise us to try cropping our paintings and if we found something exciting in there, it could be the basis for something new. What you found in this one really is exciting, as is your profile image.
I agree with what Jessie Lilac says. You can't always recreate a small image into a large one but it can be a great starting point for discovering something new. Things can be lost in replication but they can be gained as well. It might be an interesting excercise.
A friend of mine tried this with a palette knife piece and wanted to get strokes of the same scale so she adapted a garden trowel to keep the energy of the first piece. Genius!
All that said....I think there's a real preciousness to small.
Hi Kim
One of the major advantages to me of paper is that one can crop to improve the composition.. Half the fun is moving a mat around and seeing so many possibilities. This is a lovely crop... I'm trying to accept that some things just work better small... after many failed attempts at doing the same process large... but it can be fun to try it out anyway lol! and there's always gesso lol! namaste Elis.
Hi Jess,
I know you are right and am going to take your advice on this one...give it a go and see what comes of it all. This is really just cropped on the computer. I may crop it in reality, and if I do it will be tiny...like maybe 3" x 6" or so. Of course, this is the only way I might work tiny. The thing is I also think these kinds of works look better larger rather than smaller.
I love your analogy of taking those side ways paths as opposed to the one just in front of you...why take the next step forward if a side step might lead you some place more interesting?
Thank you, Jess...you are a lot like Fiona in the way you make my head go. Do you think it is the Brit in the two of you? :)
Love,
Kim
Hello Michele,
Tee Hee... I never considered note cards at all. Funny how we all think of different things.
I had a fun time over at your blog...you made me think of a lot of things I had not thought about before. :)
Love,
Kim PS...from your photo, I would say your bod is one for your husband to consider for his model.
Hello Dianne!
How you have been missed in all of your lovely exhibit work time. I know you were far too busy to consider much of anything else, though.
I honestly do have to consider cropping more if for no other reason than to keep fresh experiences happening.
The article sure made me giggle. I have been reading a lot about how artist have been handling the current economic climate...they seem to fare well. That probably has to do with a combination of survival, the kind of expectations we have of ourselves and how so many can find the positive as a lining in the negative. There are some seriously interesting articles about artist and their work floating around out there.
Thanks So Much Dianne...it is lovely to talk with you.
Love,
Kim
Hello Sweet Fiona!
Of course you are so welcome for the shout out...I feel it is important to give credit where credit is due. You were absolutely due, too. Also thanks for your kind words about me...sometimes, though, I just have nothing to say. Maybe it is I need to show things on those days.
I think Fred is/was a wise teacher. This makes all the sense in the world as far as moving art forward. It is the larger, less cohesive bit we were to do in order to break it down to see something else. The something else, in turn, leads you forward to what could be a lot better. It is all about trusting the process, isn't it?
As I said to Jess, I am going to give this a try...absolutely! I am seeing some kind of British sensibility gelling here. :)
What a brilliant way to compensate with the garden trowel! It is kind of like painting with a broom, isn't it? Well almost...Mmmm, now that makes me think I just might enjoy using a broom to paint.
You know, I have never been good with doing small...as in creating small. I have worked that way and some up with some interesting small pieces, but to be honest...I paint them as a group. As in placing a number of small prepared canvases together and painting them as one. Then I separate them and have small works. Is that cheating?
Thanks Fiona...and thanks for poking at me...keep it up as you do it in such a nice way, too.
Love,
Kim
Hello Elis (aka The Queen of Gesso)
I am slowly considering paper more as an option...although I have to admit I am not sold yet. I mainly use paper for testing or using up left over paint. Some times interesting things happen when I do that. I am going to keep working with it, though. I keep looking at the 300# paper and thinking I might be able to get used to this. Then I look at the price and consider it has to be mounted in some way...that makes me change my mind. I have got to get over that idea, don't I?
I agree with you some things do work out better small, although I am not sure this is particularly one of them. We will see how it turns out, though. I think this particular piece is truly going to be an inspiration piece.
Thanks Elis...insightful as always.
Love,
Kim
I have to confess that I'm one of those 'fly through' types of persons too. Kim, I'm loving the cropped version of that painting, although both versions look wonderful to me! It could be the inspiration for a new painting too!
Hi Lynette!
Tee Hee...I don't think I could do this any other way! :) I have tried that logical, sequential approach and I make a mess of things every single time.
Yes, I think it just might be the inspiration for a new one. It will be fun to watch the process, anyway!
Thanks Lynette!
Love,
Kim
I like cropping...some of me best pieces were discovered only after I cut away the mess...like finding a treasure! I like working on paper or foamcore because it is easier to cut,tear or slice out the beauty!
I live in two worlds of setting goals and winging it..I like both at different times.
I love crops,,I think they make wonderful starts for new creations.I've only the last year or maybe year and a half come to really appreciate paper.(and therefore cropping) It offers (to me) a lot more freedom.
Well Kim, you know I rarely plan anything that works out according to plan, but the joy IS always in the process.
#:-D
Hi Mary Ann!
I am getting the idea a lot of people love this cropping business. I should spend some more time doing this as I have a ton of paper pieces here which might benefit! It seems as the moment, though, I am really into new creations. Maybe it is best to run with what is happening, then when that fizzles for a bit head into the chopping.
Oh, I sure can see you are one who likes to have her feet in both sides of the venue...a little bit of both depending on the circumstances. Love It!
Thanks Mary Ann!
Love,
Kim
Babs, I think your love to cropping or chopping comes from way back...you have been sculpting with scissors for a long time, right? :)
Paper, I adore and love paper, but I have also just been getting used to the idea of painting on it. I keep going back to that 300# stuff which is so thick it is stiff...the cost makes me quake, though. It feels so right to try, and I just might. The place I order sells it for about 1/3 the retail price. Then again, cropping that might be a challenge... I guess I will have to order two weights! LOL
Yup, you hang with the flow, Babs...that is clear! And you give me lots of food for thought!
Love,
Kim
Hi Kim,
Yor beautiful crop has got me thinking....it somewhat reminds me of a photo I took last year of a thing I made when I was playing around with stuff at college:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/fionalongart/2059411281/in/set-72157613456060467I hope you're having a wonderful day!
Hugs,
Fiona xx
Tee Hee Fiona...I have YOU thinking? I didn't think your brain ever stopped on its own! LOL
Whoa Fiona! That is fabulous! I love that organic feel (of course I would) and the flow of that is incredible. What I like about yours, which mine does not have, is the folding effect.
I can see, though, how this crop made you think of that. Don't you think it is fascinating how we can be worlds apart (physically) and at different times and with different techniques we can create somewhat similar pieces? I have always found that to be so mind blowing. I can't imagine how many times it happens in the school studio...sometimes I am sure not by happenstance, but often by happenstance, too.
Thanks for returning, Fiona, to share this! It is truly wonderful.
Love,
Kim
Kim Hi, I love the uncropped big one on paper, too! When cropped, it looks "organized", uncropped it looks wilder, like something flowing off a wall, blood and sweat...
Sometimes I crop images on my mac and then paint this in watercolor, it kind of helps to compose in the surface, but sometimes I crop paintings (on paper) which I consider not worth keeping, and often, the cropped pieces make wonderful cards etc. Indeed, it would be interesting to try and reproduce those parts who interest us in the cropped! A real challenge!
Thanks for the inspiration, Kim!
Goal setting? I do it all the time, I keep the big ones, but the little ones are often thrown out of the window and immediately I set new ones:) But the big ones stay, though...
Have a wonderful week
Andrea
That is it, Andrea...the uncropped on is WILD! I love that! I kind of paint wildly! My painting is the expression of my inner wild woman. Mmmm, maybe I should use that in my statement...then, maybe not! :)
I have lots of things lying round I need to use and crop. The problem with me is I keep thinking of other ideas I want to explore and do not seem to find the time to go back and tweak these bits and pieces.
The good news is this crop was one completely on the computer, so all is still together. :)
Thanks Sweet Andrea!
Love,
Kim
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