by Yvonne Callaway

Further to my past year of painter’s block, I recently read Jessica MacLeod’s  book review of We Need Your Art. In it Jessica mentions a Two-week reset, “a challenge to take on before we’ve worked on our creative blocks”. It suggests working in small increments (you eat an elephant one bite at a time!) Also not allowing judgement or editing. With the Christmas holiday break & nothing to lose, I borrowed the book and then dove in.

I started in a sketchbook, first with a traditional floral sketch (1). Next day I tried to capture the layout of words on a large and a small board as thumbnails (2) for a vague idea I had. I knew it would be titled Sesquipedalian. I was interested in using the small term – Big Words – to describe the title. I considered how words might be lost in the effects of colours, shapes, design – yet still be there (3 & 4).

On Day 5 I worked on colour choices. It was interesting to slow down, develop ideas & still have time to think, rethink and adjust, while maintaining interest.

And next day I started painting, simply & in small bites. I had time to adjust, no pressure to finish. Day 9 I realized I wanted a subtle 3D effect for the letters. The next, I knew big words had to be inscribed on those large format small words. Looking at this work could be an immersive experience!

A few adjustments & Sesquipedalian was almost done. I added a touch of teal, painted the sides in lively green, wrote big words along the sides in grey.

An investment of little more than two weeks to conceive, develop & paint a work that kept me interested, intrigued, amused: slowing down while raising my interest & commitment. Paradisiacal!

Share the development of your artistic pursuits. Send text & images to cagac.ca@gmail.com

Partagez l’évolution de vos projets artistiques. Envoyez textes et images à cagac.ca@gmail.com