'Treats' Acrylic on wood assemblage ©robinrkent

Friday, November 30, 2012

Folk Art Diary: From Dark to Light

Did I miss something? Ahh, err... Yes. Been super busy, thus tired, thus missed writing a post. Hard to type with my eyes closed. 
Still haven't gotten used to the time change and early darkness. It really saps energy. I suppose it's a good time to catch up on sleep, but holidays and deadlines can get in the way. Hibernation will have to wait until February.
And when it is bright out, it's at such a severe angle, it's hard to see. This is the time of year to wear baseball caps, even if out of season. (A good time to root for the Red Sox.) And eyeglasses that turn dark. Maybe grey days are the best. If not for morale, at least vision.
©robin r kent 
The dark takes on an otherworldly ambience. It appeals to the emotions. And spirituality. Reaching through the dark to connect.
When painting, I usually start from a black field and paint from dark to light. The dark helps define the image. I use chalk to sketch in my drawing, correcting with a damp cloth. Then start painting the inside areas. When finished I erase the chalk lines with the damp cloth to reveal a black outline. Simple and striking. Especially in darkly lit rooms.
Above: My assemblage angels in gallery window, after hours. Recycled bamboo rakes, antique planks, furniture pieces, electrical wire, acrylic paint.

5 comments:

Cindi Myers said...

I feel the same.
Very tired, as soon as I get home I want to go to sleep.
So I have.
Also...this has been a sucky week.
I do know what you mean about this time of year being "spiritual".
I'm not really religious but I do feel something "more" as I drive home at night, in the quiet with the dogs sleeping and Blue watching. Yes, you have once again found the perfect words for the feeling. Otherworldly.

I am going to try that chalk idea, I need to stay busy and keep my mind on Art.
Thank you.
xoxo - Cindi
(love those angels)

An Urban Cottage said...

Are these YOUR angels? I love them! I would love an angel that could rake my yard as he/she/it flutters 'round.

Robin Kent said...

Thanks Urban Cottage! Yes, I can make angels! I'll have to work on the yardwork part. These were from a few years ago in my Brandon Artists Guild's window. I got such big window space because we were just starting out! Not so nowadays. I correct the picture comment to show ownership...

ArtPropelled said...

What a treat it would be to walk along the street and discover your angels in a shop window. Then I would feel that the Christmas season had truly begun. At this end of the world it is usually light until 7.00pm at this time of the year. It's been raining for 2 months and we havn't really experienced the long hot days yet, but I'm not complaining..... though it would be nice to dry up the garden a bit for the dogs. Their paws start playing up when its damp for too long.

Carole Reid said...

WOW, Robin, I love your angels and their rake wings!!!
What a gorgeous window display, worthy of many ewwws and ahhhhhhs! Very interesting how you start your work moving from dark to light. Clever girl. xo