It is so revealing when you view your work in a different format. I can see areas that need more resolution where I thought it would be enhance by being less resolved. I could spent weeks on exploring this, but am confined to a set timeframe. That's ok. "Screw the outcome; enjoy the journey." My new mantra.

These 2 panels are 4 feet long each. I'm wondering how much the cording will shrinks its overall size.

left half of panel

I spent all last week in Surry working on these panels. The top one has been rusted and ready to draw on. I've begun cording on the bottom one. They look so different on a computer screen!

I purchased 1/2 yard each of 100% cotton and two different types of linens to experiment on. My plan was to explore various textile-altering methods and see how they reacted on the fabrics. This would provide another dimension, color, and texture for the surface ground.

Several techniques were tried using the acrylic paint: Wet on wet, wet on dry, dripping, splattering, and spraying with water. The acrylic actually flattened out the appearance of the ground and did nothing for the graphite. Tea staining was ok, but I couldn't seem to achieve the gradations of color that I was looking for. The rusting process was more involved and required a 24 hour processing time, but it was worth the wait. I loved the result; its richness and depth was exciting. In addition, I felt I had more control over where the coloring would appear across a 3 1/2 length of fabric.

Working on linen lent itself to an interesting aged look, and in the future I will consider it for other projects. But for this particular one, I've decided to go with the 100% cotton. Through the process of playing with the paints, teas, etc., a different concept began to emerge. I'm going to have to completely rewrite my artist statement...

graphite on acrylic, tea stain, and rust

tea stain and rust process

acrylic surface design

It's about...

It's about time.

Here is the information I need from each of you to be included in the press kit:

Your name was you would like it printed

Where you are from and/or where you currently reside

A couple of sentences of your choice that you would like to include, ie. bio info or a comment on a significant part of your life or work.

Please email me this by February 17.

lauriebrooksart@gmail.com

A Much Improved Artist Statement

This project combines my love of working with fibers and textiles with my inherent need to draw. The concept revolves around the idea that the Universe is multi-dimensional. Because of personal experiences, I have come to believe that events are not random and there are different planes that exist beyond the physical realm.

Integrating graphite and fiber, I am exploring line in both two-dimensional and three-dimensional form. Lights and darks are used to create a sense of movement and flow across the surface of the fabric ground. Value change also gives the illusion of depth, which refers to another dimension or plane. Finally, the cording provides an actual three-dimensional aspect to the piece. Negative space typically places an important roll in my drawings. In this case, it represents the unknown of all existence of which we are a part.