Tag Archives: creative process

emerging blooms …

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Mixed-media on canvas, 100x100cm. © Mari French 2016

Mixed-media on canvas, 100x100cm. © Mari French 2016

After struggling with a couple of canvases this week, I was beginning to lose the plot with this one. Remembering what I’d recently been advised* – ‘Don’t let your painting know you’re scared of it’ – I threw caution to the wind and began editing the image by vigorously covering certain areas with paint, then adding a variety of marks with oil sticks, paint pens and ink pencils. 

Some marks were robust, some delicate and twirling or meandering. Several of the latter seem to be suggesting etoliated, wiry but fragile blooms? I love this colour palette, luminous, soft and atmospheric.

Standing back, I’m quietly excited by this one.

 

* Emily Ball, artist & tutor.

luscious lines …

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Collage/mixed-media on board. Mari French 2016

Collage/mixed-media on board. Mari French 2016

I’ve been diligently trying to practice the techniques I learnt at the recent Emily Ball workshop (see previous post), but keep succumbing to a flu bug I picked up on a trip to London. 

These are the result of experimentation in the studio this week, in between feeling rubbish, using some fabulous Markal Paintstiks I treated myself to after using Emily’s (they’re like big luscious oil pastels!). This is a collage/mixedmedia piece on board, which I’ve split into two as it seems to work better that way. 

By the way, I’ve tried laying out this post in a better way but have lost the will to live (it’s the ex-designer in me). 

 

Collage/mixed-media on board 2

Collage/mixed-media on board 2. Mari French 2016

areas of light …

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Progressing the experimental studies on the Norfolk salt marsh areas I’ve been concentrating on recently.  The intention is to create a body of work on this theme eventually. I feel I’m getting somewhere … I’m excited anyway, which is usually a good sign!

Areas of light. © Mari a French 2015

Areas of light. © Mari French 2015

Am still starting with the orange gold colour I’m so obsessed with at the moment, but now adding a few more subtle tones to that limited palette. The one above, Areas of light, is in acrylic, Inktense stick, gouache and newsprint on watercolour board. One for framing eventually I think. The abstract below has a different feel, more of a summer atmosphere perhaps.

Saltmarsh abstract © Mari French 2015

Saltmarsh abstract © Mari French 2015


Workbook spread © Mari French 2015

Workbook spread © Mari French 2015

 And above, another workbook spread on the same theme. I love the golden hues and contrasting dark ink in this.

One thing that bothers me is that each time I write a blog the images look squashed up and I cant figure out why. If they look odd to you, please do me a favour and leave a comment letting me know, thanks.