Another notebook page, which is actually one of my favorites from last semester.

"Abstract 6"

This is just a random little abstract piece on watercolor paper. I have been feeling rather uninspired lately. I think it is because I am so busy with and stressed about other school work right now, that I cannot just relax and be creative and enjoy painting.

"Intertwined"

This concept of weaving images together is an idea I tried once, really liked, and then never tried again, for some odd reason. Inspired by the works of Curtis Mann, (http://www.curtismann.com/) who takes found photographs and alters them into his own fine art pieces, I came back to my old idea. For this piece I painted an abstract watercolor piece in yellows and oranges and wove in a page from a magazine, which I had painted on with acrylic paint and drawn on with marker. One piece of the photograph is simply glued on top, rather than woven in, to add contrast and give the piece a more obvious focal point.

This idea of collage or appropriation is something I have always enjoyed, and this has only rekindled my interest.

"Death of a Photograph"

I added a the pieces of a photograph to this piece. I was afraid that the watercolor would not stay on the photo paper at all, but much to my delight, though the paint beaded up, it eventually soaked in a dried in an interesting speckled pattern. In addition, this watercolor is another cathartic painting. It is the pieces of a broken photograph becoming something new.

"Abstract 5"

This is my first experiment with non-traditional paper for watercolor and I am pleased with the results. I do not think that it would work for every project, but in this case it works. The quality that the lined paper gives is much more visceral--crude and rough. This is due in part to the rough edge of the paper, its flimsy nature, and the way it crinkles as it absorbs water. The lines also add a geometric contrast to the flowing, organic watercolor shapes.

"Abstract 4"

I have been continually working on "Flight" this weekend, but I still do not feel like it is done. As a result I decided to take a break to loosen up and do something more abstract. This is what resulted. I was inspired by the spring-like weather that we have been having in my color selections. I think this piece could use a little more contrast, but overall I am pleased.

"Abstract 3"

This is my third abstract experimentation. I am not as pleased with this one as the others. It lacks a clear focal point and my salt washes did not really work. You can hardly see them on the real painting, and not at on this photo of my painting.

"Abstract 1"

To deviate slightly from my paintings of ballet, this is a little abstract piece that I did. I wanted to experiment with salt washes a little bit, and this is what I came up with. I am very pleased with the contrast that resulted. Sadly, however there is a slight rip in this piece down towards the bottom left corner which is rather distracting.