FROM STUDY TO FINISHED ART

Concert in Blue Flat Minor, Study. 12x16" © by Ruth Zachary

This study was one of several geometric abstractions started by using Kid Pix, and then copied into Photoshop for further development. Although I like the compositions developed in this way, I also like the hands-on approach with painting or collage, and the ability to move actual cut out paper images from one place to another.

The concept of this piece was to express the sorrow I feel over the suffering of all people who are caught up in war. I found an article containing letters from soldiers, and I copied fragments of the letters and collaged them into a piece  based on this earlier study, but on a canvas format that was not as long as the first image concept.

Design elements printed on good papers from the study along with flower images and the letter fragments were adhered to the canvas with acrylic medium. The result is shown below.

Concert in Blue Flat Minor, Acrylic Collage. Size 20x24". ©by Ruth Zachary

As  can be seen, the finished rendition at the bottom is a different arrangement than the first, although in my opinion both versions have compostional integrity and work well. I chose to depart from the strictly vertical direction with a slight slant to the right, to suggest depth.

When I print out computer images, I use a light weight paper capable of retaining photographic detail.

When adhering papers to the surface, I coat the foundation surface with medium, soak the paper briefly in water, blot it briefly, and then place the cut or torn paper on the surface and smooth the air pockets toward the edges. Sometimes wrinkles are left for texture, but if not wanted, the brief presoak on both sides is enough for the paper to shrink and bond to the foundation. After it is dried, the surface is finished with two coats of acrylic matte varnish. 

(Note - some papers will allow ink colors to run, or blur or turn too dark. This feature can be used to an advantage, but it is best to know what the outcome will be beforehand.)

The frame was made by a friend from wood, and the frame was painted to complement the artwork.

Writing and Images are the copyright © of Ruth Zachary.