THE ALLURE OF SHADOWS IN ART

In progress work of "Sunrise, Sunset"   Lori LaBerge 2017

Ten shadows measuring 6" X 6" each have been hooked. They now need edge finishing and will be stitched to industrial felt. They will measure 11" X 14" each when completed.

It was not until I began working with plein air studies that I became fascinated with shadows. I did not want to portray them as realistic works. I pictured them as abstract works, important as themselves and not necessarily related to the specific object creating the shadow.

The abstract presentation allows the viewer to imagine what the object was that created the shadow. Some of the squares were created from outdoor sketches and others were chosen from photos I had taken.

Section to be included in "Sunrise, Sunset",  Lori LaBerge  2017

The more I explore grids the more I like the idea of creating multiple small works that are meant to be hung together. This is like gestalt theory where the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. These small works become more intriguing to me when placed together. What are their relationships? 

Another question that arises is whether placement matters or not. I believe it does. The squares may be changed from the arrangement above, or they may not. When the work is in the final stages I will decide which pieces will be placed next to others.

Section to be included in "Sunrise, Sunset",  Lori LaBerge  2017

It is important to take photos of work. It gives you another look at what you are creating. The first thing I noticed in the photo of the ten together was that the first two on the top look like a continuation of each other, as do the first bottom two.  Do I want that to happen? If so, why do the others break from that mold? I do like the two cream color works being placed as the first and the tenth works, as if they frame in the rest of the work. 

I will be discussing this subject during the plein air class at Green Mtn. Rug School in June.

Go ahead and explore some shadows, take photos, make sketches and think about their shapes.

SHADOWS ON SNOW, FINISHING ON "BLUE COLLAR" STARTED, STUDIO UPDATE

We had our first good snow covering yesterday and I couldn't help but notice all the beautiful shadows that formed and their variations in length and color.

Wide shadows cast by the dense trees in the woods.  They were a beautiful lilac and gray with a touch of rose which was reflected from the morning sky color.

A super long shadow from an electrical pole was cast across the field.  This photo was taken slightly later than the first and cast a blue tone.  If you look closely, you can see the color of the shadow changing as it gets further away.  Color gets cooler as it recedes.

This shadow's length was three to four times the height of the tree at 10:00 a.m.  When hooking shadows the time of day that is portrayed should be taken into account as this affects shadow length.  There are long shadows in the morning hours.  This photo shows a little better than the last how the color of the top of the shadows differs from the base of the shadow.

This tree was across the field from the one above and the photo was taken at the same time.  The shadow cast was about twice the height of the tree.  The color of the shadow varied from blues to purples.  Looking out the window  two hours later the shadow length was the same height as the tree.  Three hours later it was half the height of the tree.

Shadows across the hillside appeared to have a grayer tone and were about the length of the height of the tree at mid morning.

The finishing on "Blue Collar" was started this week.

I waited until I found a yarn that would work for the edges.  There was an ombre type yarn in my bin which took about an hour to untangle.  Whether this would have been a shorter or longer time without my glass of Merlot will never be known.

The variation of color fits well with the work and is more interesting than a plain matching cobalt would have been. 

Take some time to look at winter shadows, check to see how they change as time passes and have a great day.

STUDIO UPDATE--

 Last week was sheet rock and this week was primer and paint time.  The paint is called "Moondance" and is very light gray.  The ceiling is white.

The second coat of white is already on the ceiling and a second coat of gray will be painted on the walls this week.  I need to think about what color the moulding around the doors and windows will be and get ready to lay the flooring.