Getting Ready : Small Miracles

Getting the orange on
work in progress
Radical Warp Series 1-7 new orange drawings on basswood by Stella Untalan
Radical Warp Series 1-7 new orange drawings on basswood by Stella Untalan

Recently I got a call from artist Lesley Mitchell inviting me to participate in a small works show. I was excited I have lot's of small works, how easy. Sure I'm in. Alas, nothing I had framed an ready met the size criterial. I've been makinging larger work it seems. 

So I inventoried the frames and materials I had in the studio to make a series of small works. Certainly I could make something new worth showing. I discovered seven frames and I made a run to Artists & Craftsman to pick up some basswood. I like making drawings on small wood surfaces and this seemed a good time to try making more. The wood helps create a small dimensional object—like a jewel in a box. To add to the jewel feeling I picked an energetic orange for the base color.

Surprisingly, the color palatte and energy to make the pieces came quickly. My repetitive marks began and in some cases overlayered. They have a primative feel yet not. They feel like weaving yet not. They are a bit radical.

 

Radical Warp Series
4 x 5 inches ink on basswood