journal

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
POSTED ON Thursday, December 15, 2016 - 18:51

The written image. presents a thought provoking array of works which, in a variety of ways, visually examine the symbolic and conceptual complexity of words and language. The exhibition has been skillfully curated by Susanna Gold, and the presentation in her bright Bryn Mawr home, which spans a series of rooms, is refreshingly pleasant.

“Amplitude 570 #1,” Stella Untalan. Vinyl paint and acrylic ink on Strathmore watercolor paper, 14” x 17,” 2014.
POSTED ON Saturday, December 10, 2016 - 14:01

It's a wonderful thing having your work documented by a professional. The managing of light so that it is even and soft showing your work as it should be seen.

I know that my work has very subtle marks and value changes that are difficult to see in photographs. That's why it is so important to have a professional photograph my work. It's also important for that photographer to capture the spirit of the work and manage what the camera sees.

Now that this drawing is photographed I can work on the hardware to install it at the collectors home. Photographing that will be next.

My soundings, wave 1 in Elena Bouvier's studio being photographed.
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

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