Searching and Discovery

I'm a little late posting this very large project that was designed and completed in 2018.  "Searching" and "Discovery" are two monumental triptychs, each 12' high by 6' wide (consisting of 3 4'x6' panels).   

Inspired by a couple of earlier (smaller) works created with a similar method, I started with the free and random application of long arcing lines using charcoal pencil.  In order to get a smooth curve created by the continuous motion of my arm, I had to begin with these sideways (and my feet on the floor).  Else, I'd have to use a lift or a ladder to get lines going vertically and that would not result in a fluid mark. 

The panels were then installed on the shop walls where I could start painting them using a scissor lift.  My design was mostly created at my computer using visual software.  I figured out pretty quickly I was not going to be able to make decisions while in front of the paintings.  They were too big and I was too close to them and off the ground.  I couldn't see them in their entirety unless I dropped the lift, climbed down, and backed many feet away.  Thus, I worked out my game plan on paper before I started painting.  I continued this approach throughout the process as my design evolved. 

Using acrylic paint on birch wood panels, I began carving in larger shapes using different values of blue.  The blue and red palette was guided by the interior design of the placement environment. 

 

Then came time to start working in the warm red elements.

 

At some point I decided the panels were feeling too solid so I broke them up using the wall color (a cool white).

At the last, I integrated more grays to create a final layer of depth.  The result of this following-the-lines approach was like a mosaic.  I titled these pieces "Searching" and "Discovery" because the creative process was centered on bringing forth the design I wanted from within a field of existing lines.  The project took a couple of months, all told... here are the works installed.