journal

POSTED ON Thursday, January 9, 2020 - 08:55

I'm looking at unframed works and some frames I have in the studio. This is one of my pieces on Yupo that looks good in this frame. I usually like more space around the drawing so i'm not sure.

This is one of my Measurement drawings and I hope to have it available at Philadelphia Open Studio Tours in 2020.

frame fitting art
POSTED ON Wednesday, January 8, 2020 - 17:14

I've begun a new series of Allsorts drawings. They are made on 6 x 6 inch birch cradled panels. I've selected a color palette for the backgrounds and begun a series of color tests. 

These are the drawings I've made so far. I'm about to prep another dozen panels this week. Looking forward to showing more detailed images.

Allsorts in progress on Stella Untalan studio wall
POSTED ON Monday, December 16, 2019 - 16:14

I’m working on my coffee table catalog for my upcoming 4x4 project 2019 exhibition. 

In case you haven’t been following my project I’m adding a link to my website journal post. This image is a sampler of four drawings. I’ve been posting an occasional drawing here on Okuna. The drawings are only 4x4 inches square; I think that’s about 10x10 cm I’ve been making drawings all year and have some 400 already.

 

original project post > 

#contemporaryart #drawing #abstractart

4x4 project 2019
POSTED ON Monday, December 16, 2019 - 12:13

This year I used some found paper from one of our rituals — the assembly of IKEA furniture.

So many people complain about their assembly instructions which we find pretty darn clear in most circumstances. What's really tricky is actually counting everything in the box at least twice, deciding if their directions need to be followed in exactly the order they give you, and of course hacking the furniture by changing knobs, painting parts.

I made some annotations on each book. They are observations and suggestions to make the experience better.

three IKEA Assembly sheets made into books with annotations
POSTED ON Saturday, November 23, 2019 - 16:32

I began prepping two new panels this past week. It takes time to: gesso and sand and gesso and sand; to get the surfaces prepared to receive a color background before I begin to draw.

I'm at application number three and I'll be sanding at my next visit. If the surface feels even and smooth I'll hang the panels on my drawing wall.

then I will sit and contemplate what colors I'll apply and what marks to make.

 

Stella Untalan’s studio work in progress, large drawing
POSTED ON Friday, November 8, 2019 - 16:40

Embarking on a new series of repetitive measurements drawings. This new drawing in the series is made with a steel brush. I love the feel of the brush on the paper. The fact that it is a watercolor paper it's rough surface and absorption create some amazing marks. I've just begun testing viscosities of ink.


White ink on Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress 
9 x 12 inch
2019

#art #drawing #minimal #ink #repetitive #meditative

Stella Untalan black and white drawing on Stonehenge Aqua Coldpress
POSTED ON Sunday, November 3, 2019 - 10:56
4x4 2019, is the result of a drawing-a-day project — making at least one drawing each day. This project involved the use of four-inch squares of paper of various weights, colors, and surfaces. I found that many small pieces could be cut out of remnants of paper in my studio.
Stella Untalan drawings 4x4 details, a sampler
POSTED ON Saturday, October 26, 2019 - 22:09

Divided but not Equal And Almost Random.  Ink and pencil on Black Fabriano. My 4x4.2019 project. It’s impossible to make repetitive marks without the revealing of pattern and density.  

My 4x4.2019 project. Another 4x4 inch drawing. The project is coming to a close. Only a few more weeks ahead. These are a couple drawings that feel like a pair.

Stella Untalan drawing
POSTED ON Saturday, October 26, 2019 - 11:41

Having that morning cup with a number of new drawings completed in the 2019 project.

Reviewing the work completed and working on getting finished drawings signed and put in little stacks in bags. This project surprises me each tim I group the drawings into stacks and put them in my small drawing flat files. 

I love these year long projects and I find that mking these small drawings is waking up old ideas and instigating new ones. Tomorrow will involve tearing more sheets.

Coffee and drawings by Stella Untalan
POSTED ON Tuesday, October 22, 2019 - 10:05

This morning I pulled an espresso made a cappacino, walked to my worktable and surveyed what was on the surface. I do this in a similar way each time I arrive at my studio. It important to take in everything that this quite sacred space reveals. The color of the light, the work on the walls completed and in progress.

I took a snapshot of color tests lying on my worktable that are informing my new series of ALLSORTS.

color tests for allsorts by Stella Untalan

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