The Many (Physical) Layers of Abstract Expressionism
Laying the Foundation
The first step in creating this painting was writing the love letter. I wrote it on my computer, just putting down the free-flowing thoughts of all the things that make me feel good and loved and spiritually nourished — and supported and safe — and give me a sense of belonging. All of these thoughts and ideas went onto the page which I then had printed at Staples on a large engineering print. I had it mirror printed, so the words were reversed – which was critical for the first step. (You can see each step in the slideshow above.)
The next step (in the second picture) was applying a clear gel medium directly onto the words on the engineering print, then turning it over and sticking it face down onto the canvas. Following that, I took the canvas out in the backyard and ran the garden hose over it. Then I took a hard-bristled scrub brush and scrubbed. Then scrubbed some more. (With a 30” x 40” canvas, it was quite the workout!) But what happens is the pulp peels away and the words are left behind. And because they were mirror-printed and pasted facedown, they become legible when the ink is transferred onto the canvas.
Building Layers Upon Layers
After my love letter was transferred onto the canvas, I continued on the journey by adding further layers. The next step, which you can see in the next photo, was handwriting my letter using an acrylic pen. So each layer is a new medium, as you can see I’m mixing paints on my palette in the next photo, which I applied in the next step.
In the 7th picture, you can see me fingerpainting. And in the next 2 shots, I’m adding translucent acrylics and mediums, then laying down another layer of text in order to create these floating words. And this is the technique I most wanted to share with students, where it emulates the transparency of an encaustic painting. Then, in the final shot, I’m once again scrubbing away the pulp to reveal the letters.
The entire process lasted for the duration of the 2-month course and, in fact, I only truly completed the painting a couple of weeks before the open studio on Thanksgiving weekend. After the course, I hung it on the wall and let it gestate until it revealed itself to me and I knew the next step. This waiting period – letting a painting just hang there unfinished – was something I was reluctant to do in the past. But I’m now quite comfortable with it, so it’s just become a step in the process.
Original artwork and prints for sale
The original painting of A Love Letter to Myself is available for sale for $1,800 USD. The price does not include shipping, insurance, and tax. Please email me directly about purchase inquiries.
The painting is not up on Saatchi Art yet, but I’ll update this page as soon as it’s available and the links are online. Until then, you can browse through my collection on Saatchi Art’s online gallery. You can also find many of the paintings in my Little Gems Series on Saatchi Art.
Saatchi Art offers multiple options to suit your personal tastes or needs. You can choose to have your print on paper or canvas and choose from 4 sizes to best fit your room. You also have the option to have it framed in white, black, or natural wood.
