Layered Colour

Today should have been just lovely – no other plans but working in the studio. I felt tired and unmotivated, but went down and continued painting, working up layers of colour on the heat-distressed fabric sculpture I am working on. It seemed so flat and boring when I wanted it to be so rich and bright. It’s hard to keep going when it doesn’t look fabulous, and that’s when I have to remind myself that this is a many-layered process. It’s also hard not to doubt your colour choices – did I start too light? With the wrong colour entirely? A spray of yellow around the edge lifted it, but I soon found more to find fault with. Then I took myself back to the fabric samples I had chosen for this work, and it all started to come together. Pinned along the centre, they added the next layer of colour and texture, and a painted piece of distressed lace, the next. I’m a lot happier, but I still have to keep going down to check on it. Sometimes it just takes time and a little distance. Not to mention a little trust. Particularly when working on a larger piece, it can be difficult to continue on with what you are not convinced about, but having done it to one piece, you must do it to all before moving on.

With stitching over this, and further layers, ending with beading, who knows what other shades might be introduced? This is where I feel I have 'a conversation' with the work. After the initial concept design and vague colour ideas, sometimes it comes down to what is on hand, or what material will be the main focus. After that first step, it really becomes more of a reactive process. You can't plan the steps - things will show you what works. Sometimes enjoyable, sometimes a little uncomfortable, you just won't know until you follow your instincts through.