“Autumn Activity” ©Ruth Armitage 2014 Mixed Media on Paper 15×11″ SOLD
This painting began with collaging shapes printed with my Gelli-Plate onto paper, then adding more acrylic paint on top. I used some Golden High Flow Acrylic to add line near the end of the painting process.
My idea was to express some of the fevered pitch of activity that happens on the farm in the autumn, sowing crops for the next year. I love the richness of the color in this painting… the textural layers that show bright color coming through the top layer.
I’m experimenting with calligraphic line here too. As I paint, I write words that relate to my subject, intentionally making them illegible and obliterating some of them, or going over the words with more words.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Those lucky artists who are signed up for my workshop at the Sitka Center in September will get to see me demonstrate this process.
This piece seems very personal–maybe it’s the calligraphy, or maybe it’s the vibrating heat of it. Wowzy-wowser! Love it.
Thanks Margaret!
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing the process. How large are collage pieces and how much of the sheet is covered with collage? It’s difficult to tell from the photo and I’m curious. Have a great weekend.
Thanks Hal! There are some larger thin pieces of collage underneath and a few smaller leaf shaped pieces on top. I would say 80 percent of the page is covered. Lots of the color bits showing through are collage.
I am really enjoying your collage work, Ruth. How are you presenting the final pieces? Matted, on canvas, panels, varnished, cold wax? I haven’t been able to see them in person so was wondering how you finish them. You just keep evolving!
Thank you Susan! I have been matting and framing them… I think they would look good mounted on panel too, but haven’t pursued that yet.