EX135 Themes and Variations
I picked up the title “Themes and Variations” from Matisse on Sunday. He worked solidly on a theme making as many variations as he could exploring it. For him the subject was often the human figure. He would draw over and over a similar pose with the same person, exploring it for all that he could. Alternatively he would work with the same objects in a still life, over and over and over again.
This exercise goes over six weeks whilst I take a holiday over the Australian summer. It is an opportunity for you to explore a theme and the variations on that theme or on the art to create a meaningful body of work.
Really, there are no rules as to what you can work on. I think it great to be totally self directed and allow yourself to follow your own interests.
In the past we have offered some encouragement prizes so that you feel that there is something on the line for you to enter. This time around we have three gorgous books for prizes.
Beyond Landscape - Hans Strand, Kozo Books 2021 - Brand new still in wrapping - my favourite publisher it seems
Intimations of Paradise - Christopher Burkett, West Wind Arts, 1999 - Second hand, slight water damage on cover - dust jacket is missing and is not included.
The Top End of Down Under - Peter Jarver, Thunderhead Photographics, 1986, 6th edition 1993 - good conditon
Clair and I are also on the lookout for interesting creative entries to be included in Len’s Journal. There is no definitive number we are looking for. So we leave this in the air.
Criteria for entry
That the work is new and taken between 8th December 2021 and end of January 2022
That the works of art form a series
That the individual works of art are each resolved
That the work of art is accompanied by a statement about the artwork - 100 - 150 words
That there be sixteen images in the series
That the work is in the forum thread before our first Len’s Class session at 11 am on Tuesday 1st of February 2022
Post one summary image of the whole 16 in a 4 x 4 grid, and then each individual image so we can enjoy each one seperately
Notes
There will be a working thread created for you to use to help and support each other during the creation of this work. https://lensclub.discussion.community/post/ex135-themes-and-variations-major-project-working-post-12176832?pid=1330837031#post1330837031
It is strongly recommended you put your intention into this thread as soon as you decide on what you are going to be working on. Do this to set the intention for yourself. You will get support from everyone else. Adjust your project as you progress. We all change as learn from working on our projects. The project tells us where to take it.
A new thread will be started one week prior - 25th January 2022 for the final images to be posted into for discussion and the awarding of encouragement awards.
There is no such thing as best. We are looking for creative expression of yourself, an exploration of themes and variations.
The prizes will be posted to you at no expense to you.
We will not be considering the layout of the 16 images as part of the composition
We are happy to consider mixed media that is included with your photographic artworks
Tusche Trees
Trees are my muse. Fighting for their preservation has become a lifelong project. Climate change only increases my passion to preserve the forests.
In art school I found some incredible solace in the Lithography Department. The studio had three presses, and I soon had my own limestone block to print from. It was so lovely spending a day in that studio. Only a small handful of artists worked in the medium. It was a tight circle. Tusche is an ink we use that is incredibly greasy. Lithography works on the concept that oil and water don’t mix.
These trees are my exploration of printmaking looks and techniques. Usually to add colour to print another plate is prepared and applied over the top of another colour. Slowly building up layers up on layers. These layers seem to add emotion and physical depth.