During week 1 of Painting, I selected which project I want to do which is entitled ‘Environment’. I chose this project as I felt that it was very broad and related to the project I did in first year based around the Leicester train station which I really enjoyed but didn’t have time to explore to the best potential.
As I feel that I can be quite limited with my use of colour, I did some research to find artists who use colour in their studies of environments to inspire the way that I could experiment with colour in my own project. I also researched some artists suggested on the handbook who I liked to give me enough inspiration to get stimulated and inspired. I printed out some images of the artists work to put in my studio space so that I can make the space my own and make it portray my ways of thinking throughout my project.
Grant Haffner:
Grant Haffner is an artist who focuses on country road environments he sees whilst travelling in his truck. His work often has utility poles that constantly change position in his work to portray movement which works nicely with his bold uses of colour to create contrasts and harmonies. His uses of colour make the environments look quite surreal and childish yet they are still easy to identify as roads. His paintings are often very calm with the shapes building up to create detailed yet simple scenes. I especially like the way that the paintings demonstrate how calm and quiet rural areas are in comparison to cities and urban areas. His paintings are always different to show that no sunrise or sunset is the same and he enjoys depicting the changes of time in his work to have a large variation.
Amy Shackleton:
Amy Shackleton is an artist who considers the way that urban environments interact with nature with climate change informing the use of harsh weather to try to give viewers an idea of what the future could look like. Throughout this process, she actually hones in on the problems with our lives everyday and the ways in which climate change could be reduced. I like the way that her work is often built up of several layers and the fact that she creates her paintings by letting paint drip from bottles and using gravity by turning the canvas to build up her intricate urban cityscapes. The manmade elements are quite organised while the natural elements are adventurous and spontaneous to show the contrasts of the two elements combining. I also like her uses of colour as they are quite imaginative and go well with the dramatic ideas and elements she portrays.
Noemi Safir:
Noemi Safir is an artist who explores the ways that imagery can affect every person in individual ways, peoples responses to colour and emotion, relationships and music are different. She often takes photos of people in their everyday lives and then translates the photos into sketches before working with acrylics onto canvas. She enjoys creating art that is a reflection of her journey with art throughout her lifetime, she enjoys the uses of ‘happy colours’ and builds up her art in intricate layers of different shapes of colour. I like the fat that her art is very abstract yet it is still obvious what each painting is depicting. The build up of different shapes of colours work so well together yet also contrast in areas to pull the viewer in.
Frank Auerbach:
Frank Auerbach is an painter who focuses on a range of subject matters including landscapes based in North London and portraits. In the past Auerbach liked to work on top of old work, creating a range of layers which is the reason a lot of his work surfaces are so thick in his previous works. He has since stopped doing this, though his landscapes are often made from drawings he physically did whist he was there as it would be too impractical to do his paintings out in the open. I especially like his uses of colour and line, as well as the fact that his work can be so simple yet it is still obvious what his subject matter is. I like the fact that his work is quite messy and the paint is applied in a fun way as he isn’t too bothered about being precise which is something I would like to explore in my work.
John Piper:
John Piper was an artist who focused on British landscapes, in particular monuments and churches which he explored using a range of techniques. He liked to combine different techniques in his work, often layering different medias to create areas of focus and contrast. His uses of different styles are very interesting and something I would like to explore during this project as it can be good to not limit yourself to one particular style. I also love his uses of layering and this is something that could really benefit my work.
During week 1, I also prepared materials for next week, including stapling a large sheet of fabriano paper into my studio space and painting 16 sheets of A1 paper four colours (orange, pink, green and purple). As well as gathering equipment such as glue and applicators for the large scale collage.
References:
- Grant Haffner
- Amy Shackleton
- Noemi Safir
- Frank Auerbach
- John Piper
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