"Destination" (sold)

"Choices determine destination." This can be an exhilarating and terrifying thought at the same time. It is true that we all make choices that take us down a particular path. We need to make sure it's the right one.

This piece marks a return to a gesso layering technique that creates a mysterious "veiled" effect. It is very satisfying to do and requires a reaction to what is going on as you work far more than other techniques. It is important to continue realizing that paintings are made up of shapes.  The shapes in this piece were created with many layers, alternating between gesso and washes of gouache and lettering.  (I also sprayed the paper and prepared it to receive the next layer with diluted gel matte medium three separate times.)

I deliberately kept the color subdued, but also paid attention to the values which led to the olive green connecting to the edge from top to bottom in an erratic sort of line. Edge to edge creates a division of the entire design space right off the bat and is a very important part of having a good foundation to the painting. And it doesn't need to even be as prominent as I made it in this piece, but there needs to be a division created by color, line, or different shapes.

Another design decision that goes well with gesso is all of the pencil lines. All of the lettering in this piece was written with a normal .05 mechanical pencil sharpened on a sandpaper block. It is also good to hold the pencil vertically. If you are holding it at a slant, you are not writing with the sharpest point of the pencil. Just a few more things to think about.