journal

POSTED ON Monday, September 16, 2019 - 21:14

After sanding the third and final coat sits to harden. I'm about to head in for a day of color tests and the last fine sand of these surfaces. Everything has hardened and ready for drawing to begin.

I'm excited to start drawing again in the studio after considerable inspiration from my trip to the North Country.

Lots of work ahead and new work that should be ready for the Philadelphia Open Studio Tours. I hope you'll come and see what's new October 12th from noon through 6 PM

Gessoed panels resting
POSTED ON Monday, September 16, 2019 - 21:09

In the studio the small panels are stacked for a whole new series of allsorts.

I’m engaged in some color tests for a new sonic drawing that will help me discover what I would like to do with the allsorts. I’m planning on making some black backgrounds for sure but there are a few other colors calling to me. 

There are several very luminescent colors that I am looking at. I also discovered that a few jars of Flashe are a bit lower than I had thought. Purchases may need to be made.

I’m excited to be making a new body of work.

Stack of 6x6 panels
POSTED ON Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - 15:17

My newest commission Sonic #1. I heard from the art consultant that it has been installed "easy peasy". After I get back from my autumnal visit to the high peaks of the Adirondacks I'll have it documented.

This piece consists of three 12 x 24 inch birch cradled panels. I wish I could show you multiple images. This is a pic before I packed it up for delivery. Looking forward to the documentation pics.

I'm interested in drawing in this proportion for a couple more pieces. The length is required for the Sonic feeling.

 

Sonic. commissioned drawing by Stella Untalan
POSTED ON Sunday, August 11, 2019 - 14:53

I will be participating in Philadelphia Open Studio Tours on Saturday, October 12, 2019 at 12 – 6 PM

Please put the date on your calendar. I will be opening my studio with more than a dozen others in our building 1241 Carpenter in Philadelphia. My work will also be in our Annual group show at ARTSPACE1241 on the first floor of the building.

POST 2019 ad for Stella Untalan Open Studio.
POSTED ON Friday, August 9, 2019 - 20:49

Working on Yupo with Montana Markers and ink is a joy.. Each line drawn has a sound as it progresses. I’ve made numerous small piece that are in my Short Phrases series. And this drawing is one of a number of larger works called Purple Prose. The inks are opaque and the Yupo is translucent. So the gaps take on the a cloudy version of the hue of whichever background it is mounted to.

I’m looking forward to showing more of these in October at Philadelphia Open Studio Tours

Purple and white ink on yupo
POSTED ON Friday, August 2, 2019 - 21:52

The process begins. Preparation of surfaces for new drawings. Here are the panels I’ve worked on so far. There are two groups. The square panels are 12 x 12 inches and have three coats of gesso. Each application was sanded to make a smooth drawing surface.

The other panels have their first coat. I will be able to sand them in a couple days. The panels are hardening for the weekend.

Panels in the studio
POSTED ON Tuesday, July 16, 2019 - 15:29

Two new small works. Another series of experimental vocabularies. These are on watercolor paper and are made using inks and Flashe vinyl paint. I use steel pens, syringes, and markers. The drawings are 4 x 6 inches.

Two magenta drawings by Stella Untalan
POSTED ON Friday, July 5, 2019 - 16:18

On the worktable lies my newest commission Sonic #1. I’m letting the ink and vinyl harden. I’ve glued the brackets and let them set. In another day or so I will drill them.

i can’t wait to see it installed in it’s new home.

Afterward I’ll work on getting it documented at the location.

Stella Untalan studio worktable view with Sonic a new commission
POSTED ON Thursday, June 27, 2019 - 19:18

My open studio took a whole lot of work but such a time of discovery. I filled the studio and hallway walls with with work old and new.

The event secured a drawing commission that I had to work on right away. it was too difficult to get all the work put away before getting started. What to do?

The result is the photo in this post. I moved all my drawings to one wall. This is a photo of the current situation while I have been making a drawing on another wall.

I hope you’ll come see some of this work in October for Philadelphia Open Studio Tours.

Stella Untalan studio in south philadelphia
POSTED ON Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 11:25

Getting ready for my studio sale every drawer I opened held another mystery or surprise. Old friends being revealed again.

These drawings were made in 2008. I made more work with pastels then and I'm thinking about revisiting that media during my art trip to the woods in September.

All About Trees was a group exhibition to which I was invited. It was a pleasant surprise to rediscover them.

1. Bark Summons
2. Deepening Wood
3. Salamander Darts
4. Respiring Pines

All four of these drawings are availble directly from me at my studio.

Bark Summons mixed media by Stella Untalan

Pages