The working title is 'tokens' but I'm accepting bids on a better one, something with board game connotations so it will fit in a January gallery theme show. I'm tickled with how this one turned out because it hung on the top (unpaintable) pegs for a couple of months in various stages of confusion. I'd put the circles in with tar gel and there was no getting away from them... they had to be dealt with or scrap the canvas... and I don't scrap canvas. The black surface is very deep and layered looking like a chalkboard in a very old and abused condition... it makes the painting, IMHO. I can't pass it without running my hands over the surface... a sure sign of favoritism.
September 30, 2006
Name Of The Game
The working title is 'tokens' but I'm accepting bids on a better one, something with board game connotations so it will fit in a January gallery theme show. I'm tickled with how this one turned out because it hung on the top (unpaintable) pegs for a couple of months in various stages of confusion. I'd put the circles in with tar gel and there was no getting away from them... they had to be dealt with or scrap the canvas... and I don't scrap canvas. The black surface is very deep and layered looking like a chalkboard in a very old and abused condition... it makes the painting, IMHO. I can't pass it without running my hands over the surface... a sure sign of favoritism.
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10 comments:
Wonderful work, Karen!
I love this! It is evocative of so much: tickling both the intellect and the emotions. I can perfectly understand your not being able to resist touching it. For some reason as soon as I read your mentioning board games the instruction 'Do not pass Go' popped into my mind. Whatever it's called, it is beautiful.
Karen, This is a beautiful piece! I love love love the black and wish I could touch it too.
Stunning piece Karen. That black just draws me in - I'm sure in person it is mesmerizing.
Tokens? Games? Something from Mah-Jong, perhaps? My set is not terribly old, but I do enjoy touching the bone and bamboo tiles which are usually played with sets of four. Wilkipedia might give you some ideas.
I know that this sounds a little too rough-and-tumble, but when you mention games and point out that you are compelled to touch this piece, the first word that came to my mind was "addiction". I couldn't shake it or come up with a better one.
I'm particularly fond of the composition - use it a lot myself, and you've also included circles and grid, two more of my favorite things - I love this!
Okay... you're reinforcing my belief that there can be depth in simplicity. I'm afraid I'm stuck with 'Tokens' as a title because it's irrevocably linked with the painting in my mind. It's nice when one can mentally recall a painting by the printed title, saves lots of time and confusion. I'll put the other suggestions on my title list... especially "Addiction"... though it hits too close to home when linked with games.
I like the title - Shift
or Tilt, which seems in keeping with Tokens. I like the idea of playing just a bit off of the word tokens, it seems to grounded with that one, but again, just my opinion.
Karen, I absolutely love this one (ok, I love all your work). But this one really just grabbed me. Wow.
Alan
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