Monday, January 14, 2008

New Year - A look Back to last year

Every January I tend to look back at what I did the year before and make some decisions about what direction I want my artwork to go in the next year. Not only is it a mark of a new year, but it just about the slowest time of the year for selling, so it gives time to reflect! :-)


Last year I made a big decision to stop working on paper, and do all my work on board instead, which is framed without glass. That was an easy decision.

Looking at the artwork I made on that support is kind of interesting. I made a rather large series of white still-lifes with a pop of color along with a wide panoramic format. Another series, much smaller, that utilized crunched paper and any format. Another series using things I took from traditional Dutch Still-life and traditional formats. The only other series I did was a small amount of images that cropped in on mundane items like a telephone, and some crushed cans. Of course there are some I did that don't fit neatly into one of those catergories, like the few "beach still-lifes" I did using all green bottles and shells.

Whew!

So what does this all mean. I really enjoyed working on the white still-lifes with a pop of color and I believe people have gotten to know those as "caulfield" still-lifes. So I am going to continue working on them, but adding a twist to them. Either like the Hopper one I just did, or my experitmneting with colored backgrounds, or more additions of pattern.

OK, good, I have one thing worked out.

I also really enjoyed doing the pieces with crumpled up paper, and I think the possibilites of that are endless... so I am going to keep that series as well.

The rest, we'll see... I know somewhere along the way in 2008 I will be caught on a whim to try some sort of new series.

If anyone has any opinions on what series/ideas I did last year that you liked. Please let me know! I thanks for listening to all of this... it helps to write it down!

Sorry no NEW artwork started yet. Today is a snowday for the kids and tomorrow I will hopefully be driving to my friends to look at the photos she took of the candidates.

Here's a last picture of my youngest daughter at the beginning of last year (in front of one of my faves of last years drawings). Gosh, she's grown!








8 comments:

hbedrosian said...

My personal favorites have been the shoes with the crumpled paper, and the ones with green beach glass (I love nautical themes...), but all of your work is very good!

Unknown said...

My favorite series is also the shoes with crumpled paper. I can't wait to see what this year holds for you.

Kathy said...

I have to agree with Holly & Cindy. I also loved the shoes with crumpled paper. I also love your new format for still lifes on the vertical - makes for some very interesting points of view.

Unknown said...

Thanks guys! I REALLY appreciate the input!

Jo Castillo said...

I like the verticals best, ..no the shoes ... no the horizontal drawn out still life .... I just like them. Nice year and looking forward to the new stuff!

Unknown said...

Haha Jo, I know just what to do now! ;-)

Carmel said...

I visit your blog on a regular basis. My favorite series is the still life on vertical. However, I love all of your work. Including your portraits! Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Nicole, I really like the four vertical still-lifes you have which are posted side by side. . . the perspective and cropping method is very interesting and effective. Actually, I differ from the rest, I like the shoes less than the other subject matters you choose, but that's just me.