in the studio

POSTED ON Saturday, May 27, 2017 - 17:59

I've started making some new walnut missives drawings. Here I am deciding on pairs. Looks like I'm going to need a few more drawings to get good pairs.

Then I'm off to have them photographed.

Opening up that pot of ink again.

walnut missives by stella untalan
POSTED ON Thursday, February 16, 2017 - 17:41

I've been working on a smaller drawing to test a process for my current commission. I've been in the studio for three days and made progress enough to visualize the much larger piece. The rhythm is working and the color patterns work. I can feel the ocean and its undulation.

Now it's time to think about mounting paper or not to make this drawing. The paper as substrate will make drawing on the surface a bit more fluid. I also want to make the marks a bit larger and absorbtion into paper will help the marks dry faster.

Stella Untalan drawing in progress.
POSTED ON Saturday, February 11, 2017 - 14:18

After finishing a few small works and curating and hanging two shows I'm finally getting my studio under control for a new commission.

Things would be easier if it stopped raining in my studio but it seems the leak keeps illuding the fixers. Sigh.

Stella Untalan in the studio.
POSTED ON Tuesday, January 24, 2017 - 13:57

Working on new pieces for SEEING RED an open call by Heavy Bubble. I love everything about the title and the color so I decided to participate.

I'm not sure why I just prepared two panels — time to add at least one more. Thiey have been sanded twice and gessoed once. When dry I'll add another coat of gesso. I'm torn about my surface finish dull or shiny. But I always like to apply and sand at least two coats of gesso. I like spending time with prepping the panels it helps me prepare to make something.

The ebb and flow of my anger by Stella Untalan in Seeing Red
POSTED ON Thursday, December 8, 2016 - 20:06

In the studio working out the details for how to hang my completed commission. Hanging cradled panels flush to a wall is a challenge. There are many ways to do it temporarily for an exhibition; but to hang perminately requires a special solution based on the location.

For this location and situation I am creating a type of shelf the art will sit on and be anchored to with recessed screws.

The solution came to me over a great latte and some quiet studio talk. Now to prototype the solution.

Moleskine sketches
POSTED ON Sunday, December 4, 2016 - 20:57

This week I began a series of purple drawings using Montana Markers and Acrylic ink on Yupo. They are small drawings and they feel like phrases. 

Working with the marker to see how it reacts to be dragged in different ways. Lots of exploration.

POSTED ON Wednesday, November 30, 2016 - 20:24

Just begining some protypes; basically color tests for my next commission. Color pallette selected. Working on the vocabulary of marks.

This going to be another large drawing so I'm testing the color interaction and marks. Excited to get started. The end piece will be almost square.

blue background
POSTED ON Saturday, November 26, 2016 - 11:38

Just before POST I installed a new shelf over one of my workbench. I have two lights to suspend from the bottom to better light the area. This will be great with the winter coming on and it getting dark so early.

It's a great finishing space. Smooth clean hard surface.

Above I will be able to display some interesting objects.

installing a new shelf in the studio
POSTED ON Saturday, November 26, 2016 - 11:33

I have eight pieces in a private show coming up. I have two egyptian waters drawings, this is one a buffed up and ready to go. The exhibition is by invitation only.

The written image.
A private exhibition featuring seven contemporary artists who engage the aesthetics, processes, and symbolic codes of communication.

Opening reception
Friday, December 2, 6 - 9 pm

egyptian waters by Stella Untalan
POSTED ON Wednesday, August 10, 2016 - 13:27

I've taken to doing some video spins around my studio lately. Basically to catch the state of my studio at different points of time and projects. Thay are for my memory as well as to share. I always find that first look at the condition of my space is something that leads me to new work, new details, new materials.

I just got back into the studio recently after a rather long interval. It's changing again and I hope to give you a peek in a couple weeks.

Stella Untalan's studio in South Philadelphia

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