journal

POSTED ON Thursday, March 9, 2017 - 15:40

I took this iPhone pic of Artist Brian Dennis paying homage to Sol Lewitt who captured a nugget of the drawing on his iPhone.

Brian Dennis, Sol Lewitt
POSTED ON Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - 22:34

So many sketchbooks, so little time.

I've begun attacking these books I've been given with seriousness. Surprisingly I have been making drawings everyday in my Strathmore watercolor sketchbook. The sketchbook is half full. These two drawings are made with Inkrense pencils and gel pens.

These are great materials for making drawings on the go. I'm excited about these new experiments.

I'm also looking forward to taking these materials in my go bag on a trip into the mountains this weekend. I'm imagining the drawings will be very different in the below freezing mountains.

drawing by Stella Untalan using intense pencils and gel pens
POSTED ON Wednesday, March 1, 2017 - 19:01

Being in the Woods unites Stella Untalan‘s ink drawings and Brian David Dennis‘ large cardboard construction titled, [bar], in a meta-magical art installation vibrating with the rhythms of the universe and nature. Minimalist drawings using walnut ink and a nib are serenely precise and flow with life energy. The repetition and hand/mind control pulses across the sheen of the paper like heart beats, the measure of time is palpable and flowing.

Stella Untalan drawings in Being in the Woods with sculpture by Brian Dennis
POSTED ON Tuesday, February 28, 2017 - 20:24

Been spending lots of time in my sketchbooks these days. Back in a sketchbook groove. I couldn't help but draw on the cover of this one. I love drawing with white on black and black on white.

Drawing on the cover of my Strathmore Watercolor sketchbook
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 Monday, January 23, 2017 - 22:29

Drawing. Doing some visable thinking. I haven't been getting to the studio the past few days. That doesn't mean that I'm not thinking about or making art. I've been working on three ideas for Seeing Red presented by Heavy Bubble at ARTSPACE 1241

working the cafe
POSTED ON Wednesday, January 11, 2017 - 20:05

My holiday gift of Inktense pencils is great for sketching and creating washes on the road in my sketchbooks. I love the way that I can get drawing marks into a background that includes a wash. 

These drawings are testing me — how I can make drawings across the rough finish of this watercolor paper. The pen jumps across the mogals and makes wonderful breaks in my lines. I'm embracing the surprise of these leaps and being as tenacious as I can to make the lines continue.

This drawing is a work in progress. I'm waiting to see what comes next.

work in progress drawing by Stella Untalan
POSTED ON Thursday, January 5, 2017 - 15:41

Yesterday went to see the Agnes Martin show before it closed. It was sublime. Only took a couple pics because I was in a be here now state of mind. The alcoves of the Rotunda were like little chapels to one or two pieces. The 72 inch square pieces were solitary while the 60 inch squares were paired. The pairings were very thoughtful.

Guggenheim exhibition Agnes Martin

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