in the studio

POSTED ON Thursday, May 26, 2016 - 14:01

I'm working on a commission that is based on my soundings drawings. The new form factor of mounted paper on cradle boards required a different set up. For many drawings I may draw on the wall. For ink drawings I usually draw on a flat surface. I have to reach across a distance and an incline can usually help. Using dip pens or droppers means the positioning of the pen holds the ink in place. 

Kids building blocks work just fine
POSTED ON Tuesday, May 24, 2016 - 16:04

I've created a series of drawings that are driven not by results but by process. Each of these drawings is made using the same ink, the same pen, the same unrelenting process. The results reveal themselves to be reminders of my walks and runs in the woods. The straight trunks making blurred lines that suggest motion, space, and time — a DNA image of being in the woods.  

We start installing this weekend.

Six drawings for my show being in the woods
POSTED ON Friday, May 20, 2016 - 17:14

Magnets and vinyl washers with monofilament. That's the way I expect to hang my drawings in being in the woods. This afternoon over lunch I sketched the possibilities for hanging drawings in my upcoming show.

There are many issues to consider. Keeping the drawing taut, keeping the method for hanging as invisable as possible and maintaining an immovable space. Time to make some prototypes to test results. I happen to have all the components to build a test installation in my studio. Fabrication time.

Photo of my sketchbook hanging plans for my drawings for being in the woods
POSTED ON Thursday, April 21, 2016 - 13:11

Started a new series of green drawings this week. Trying to feel out some marks and rhythms. This is just the begining with four drawings on my work table. I'm choosing a set vocabulary. But tomorrow I put them aside to begin work on drawings for my show with Brian Dennis in June.

 

new green warp drawings
POSTED ON Wednesday, April 6, 2016 - 04:49

A new pair in my continuing series the long and the short of it. Spring has taken hold of my eye and this yellow pair are getting some well deserved attention. The series as a whole is begining to look garden like with a spring explosion of color.

the long and the short of it drawing by Stella Untalan
POSTED ON Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - 23:15

The bright white paper stared directly at me yesterday. I took my used blue tape and masked out an area to begin laying doen a background color. I reuse my blue tape, it gives me more organic line.

After sipping a cup a joe I began applying the ground. It took three passes to get a coverage. The two panels are ready to be drilled and bolted together. Then I'll start creating my graphite grid.

So pleased with the results so far. It's almost enough.

new commission laying down the ground
POSTED ON Sunday, April 3, 2016 - 12:18

Got the spring green on all my new surfaces. 

This is a surprise color for me. Not a natural choice for mt but I'm working with it. Eight new pieces to start drawings. I have them all set up on one of my side work surfaces so I can work on small pieces in between working on my larger two commissions. 

Looking forward to loading up some pens and laying down some marks this coming week. I'll be posting images or progess here in the journal.

spring green ready to draw
POSTED ON Thursday, March 31, 2016 - 14:23

Lot's of prep work in my studio this week.

I took out a saw to do some cutting.

Here's a peek at 8 new 4 x 5 inch basswood panels gessoed and drying. Can't wait to get making drawings on these pieces. I first used this material for my radical warp series of drawings.

4 x 5 basswood
POSTED ON Thursday, March 31, 2016 - 13:21

Mounting paper to panels I was rusty. But now I'm back up to well oiled machine. These two panels are ready for me to begin my new commission. I'll bolt the two panels together and draw on them as though they are one contiguous piece. The two panels are really to make them more managable for transportation.

My color tests and ink viscosity proved my thoughts to be true.

This weekend I lay down a colorfield and wait for it to dry. Then the drawing will begin.

two paper mounted panels ready
POSTED ON Sunday, March 27, 2016 - 12:42

Got another sheet of paper mounted.
Now to wait for it to dry and then trim.
Then the drawing can begin.

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