I am SO uncomfortable experimenting. I know that speaks to my type-A, control-freak, perfectionist personality. It's strange, because my work is often bold and I delight in breaking the "rules" of composition and color-- you'd think I was the brave, adventurous type. And I like to think I am. But it's all been line-upon-line, here-a-little, there-a-little, and it's all been in oils. I suppose all progressive learning is experimenting, in a sense, but 'til now, it's all been rather safe. 'Til now. During my January art residency, I began playing around with acrylics, and have fallen for the medium, even though it frustrates me enormously when they don't behave as I think they should (the aforementioned discomfort with experimentation). The successes, though, fill me with delight. So I press on!
I am using high-flow acrylics on bristol paper. I establish the somewhat-abstract background with plastic wrap (SO much fun) and then add the more recognizable trees when it's dry.
I am enjoying the challenge of composing the foreground trees. I feel like Goldilocks, trying to get it just right.
There is something about combining representational ideas with abstract elements and making it work that is so rewarding.