GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTS, DESIGN SKETCHES

Work in progress:  "Cone II"  18" X 18"   Lori LaBerge  2016

I found this week to be a good time to delve into a little bit of everything. The hooking in the second of the cone series was started this afternoon.  

Colors chosen "Cone II"

Some wool was dyed and some I was lucky enough to find on the studio shelves. The top of the cone section will be yellow and green then shift to rust and brown at the bottom. Dark and medium grays will go into the right hand background and medium and light grays in the left hand background.

"GeoScape II"  design sketch

I am continuing to delve into geometrics inspired by plein air study. The above work developed from viewing a tree against the moon and clouds at night. The work could be hung a variety of ways including horizontally as above or vertically as seen below.

I would have included a sketch of the scene done realistically, but unbelievably I am using the excuse that the cat shredded the sketch. She also has broken two vases. Yes, she is still alive and well. Just too cute to get mad at.

 "GeoScape II" vertically

I will be discussing using plein air to create abstracts as part of "The Art of Plein Air" class at Green Mountain Rug School in June.

 "Geoscape III"  sketch

The third in the series is a sketch I made in Florida. It continues my current interest in wood pilings on the water. While clearly abstract it is easier to see the subject matter of this piece than that of  "Geoscape II". Will the colors chosen affect that perception?  

Kandinsky and Klee in Tunisia by Roger Benjamin

While preparing for class I am reading works by some artists that are not thought of for plein air work but created them at some point in their art career. This book takes the reader through the adventures Wassily Kandinsky and Paul Klee had while creating work in Tunisia. Klee's plein air work there led to his increased interest in color. This interest in turn led Klee to turn more and more toward abstraction.

A Happy New Year to all. Join me in continuing to love, view and create art in 2017.

BACK IN THE STUDIO: GEOMETRIC ABSTRACTS

 

"Directions" in progress, each panel 10" X 10"  Lori LaBerge  2016

The orange and blue panels for "Directions" were hooked this past week.  Each panel will have metal added.  They will then be whipped, mounted, framed and hung in the order shown above.  I am contemplating changing the value on the far right of the bottom blue section.  It is lacking the contrast the other panels have.  Love that color, but it may have to go.  A darker color will give that corner some needed weight. 

As yet untitled,  approx. 18" X 18" Lori LaBerge  2016

A new work involving road cones was started yesterday.  I changed this up a bit from the original design below:

This drawing has perfectly shaped squares around it.  When transferring to linen, I decided to make the edges less perfect, giving them some movement.  This fits with the idea of roads being broken up when under construction.

"Curve Ahead" in design process

Also working on a new piece to bring on vacation with me.  It deals with curve signs on roads and will consist of 5 pieces of descending size.

Art Exercise:

Try experimenting with different types of line.  Vertical, horizontal, straight, wavy, broken, etc.

Note that Green Mountain Rug Hooking School is now accepting registrations:

I will be teaching "The Art of Plein Air" at the Green Mountain Rug Hooking School during June of 2017.  It will include the realism plein air is known for as well as how to use outdoor sketches to create abstract and surreal work.  All styles are welcome and experimentation will be encouraged.  Plein Air is a great way to add to one's knowledge of the basic skills of art.  You can sign up at the plein air page.

BACK TO GEOMETRICS, GREEN MOUNTAIN RUG SCHOOL CLASS

Section 1 of "Directions" unfinished,  10" x 10"   Lori LaBerge  2016

It feels great to get back to my geometric work.  Though I love the landscapes and sculptures I've been working on, my heart belongs to geometrics.  Shape, color and line are my main interests.  

While working on this piece, it suddenly hit me where the design derived from.  It has been a stressful time lately.  Funerals, my mother's Alzheimers, exhibits to ready for, and learning new technology among other things life throws at us.  The piece really signifies not just the physical directions of roadways, but the various directions life pulls us in.

Section 2 of "Directions" unfinished,  10" x 10"  Lori LaBerge  2016

Two of the sections have completed the hooking phase and still need metal added along with edges finished.  The final work will be a quadriptych (four pieces placed together to form one artwork).

One of the last two sections in progress

I am also working on putting a class together for Green Mountain Rug School.  The class will be "The Art of Plein Air" held from June 17-20, 2017.

In class, we will discuss how working outdoors through sketching, note taking and photography can help improve our studio work.  Color, lighting and composition will be looked at through exercises.  We will also learn how to translate what we see outdoors into realistic, abstract and surreal works.  Experimentation will be encouraged.  All styles are welcome. 

 "Surrealism" put out by Phaidon books

Since the term Plein Air was brought to us by the French, we will experience wine, Perrier and French cookies while we begin creating our own works.  I can hardly wait!

I would love to have you join me at this wonderful venue.  You can register for class here.

I also took a ride over to Little Switzerland and stopped at Charlies Quilts and Sew Much More shop.  A warm welcoming atmosphere and great baskets from Ghana.  I loved the bright contemporary colors. Here's mine:

Art exercise:

Search the web for artwork made up of separate pieces (dyptychs, triptychs, quadriptychs, etc) and think about how you might create your own.