Experimenting with form

I’ve known for a long time that I don’t see the world quite the same way as most people. I’ve been known to be weird, odd, out of step, Aquarian, or just plain strange. I’m good at getting the wrong end of the stick in a conversation, and in group learning, my answers are always off centre of the norm. But it is my way of viewing the world that makes me the artist I am. So here I am going to blatantly share some of my points of inspiration, some of those personal moments that just spark for me and make me want to create. And perhaps I can share that spark, too.

This is an Acacia acinacea, Wreath wattle or Gold dust wattle depending on your preference. It is a native to the land my chair is currently sitting on, part of the Black Forest.

This piccy was taken in my front garden in September last year. It is a beautiful shrub, about a metre and a half high with slightly weeping foliage that is covered in fluffy yellow balls when in flower.

Wattle flowers are a challenge in art. I see them most often either simply little yellow circles or little yellow dots. They are not exactly a flower that screams to be drawn in detail. But as I am somewhat obsessed in finding the beauty in the unnoticed, I’ve found myself a little obsessed with these little yellow balls of fluff.

My first attempt was a slightly abstracted reality.

I changed some of the core colours to give more depth and played with highlights to give a stronger shape. I am happy at how this turned out, simply because I was aiming for bright colours, not true to life.

My second attempt is still sitting on my easel waiting for me to finish it.

Very abstract (apart from very unfinished), I broke down the shape into into its basic elements and flattened it in the process. I’m beginning to wonder if I should have done this one digitally rather than in pastel, but we will see what happens with it.

And this is a doodle I’m playing with at the moment, incomplete, of course, but you can see the form.

 

I’m now toying with what colours to add to it (once I’ve finished the outline).

All three concepts are vastly different, yet they come from the same inspirational source. I’m finding this quite interesting and am absorbed in my results, excited to see what else I can come up with. I’m enjoying the abstract aspect and can see all kinds of patterns to play with.

Have you ever tried to do something like this? Gain multiple inspiration from the one object? Explore ways to communicate the shape using different forms?

Liz
(all a buzz about yellow fuzz)