Archive for the ‘1) Available!’ Category
Saturday, May 10th, 2014
“What the Color Field painters shared most importantly with the Abstract Expressionists was the conviction that the role of art was not to report on the visible, but to reveal the unknown. They shared too, the belief that paintings that resembled nothing preexisting could have the presence, authority and associative richness of other real things in the world.”
— Karen Wilkin
I began my Bibelot Series by recalling to mind the lost treasures of George Headley. With this 13th miniature, I am wondering if the meditation may have reached its culmination. The primary reason centers on the changes that occurred with my process while creating this most recent composition. Because I find myself thinking less about the precious fabrications that provided the initial inspiration and more about the aesthetic qualities of the artifact manifesting before me, the connection to the Headley works have diminished enough for me to consider whether or not the transition to a new investigation is taking place. The color and abstract relationships inherent in an evolving collage surface seem to exist for their own sake, rather than as an homage to other artistic ideas, and point to a deeper reality. What comes next? As a student of American History, the number 13 has never felt unlucky to me. We shall see what follows.
Spy (Bibelot 848)
collage miniature by J A Dixon
4 x 5.5 inches
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Posted in 1) Available!, Abstract Expressionism, Bibelot Series, Color Field, Influences, J A Dixon, Methodology, Theme/Variation | No Comments »
Tuesday, March 18th, 2014
“All of old. Nothing else ever. Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better.”
— Samuel Beckett
I cannot lay claim to having unraveled any of the perplexities of Worstward Ho or Waiting for Godot, but Beckett’s famous quotation about perseverance rings especially true for me. There are times when I look at a collage artwork just finished and, to be honest, I am unable to tell if it is a success or a failure. However, one thing is certain — I am always one step closer to knowing. Let us keep failing better.
Fresh Catch By John
collage artifact by J A Dixon
10.5 x 9 inches
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Posted in 1) Available!, Artifacts, J A Dixon, March Exercise, S Beckett | No Comments »
Monday, March 17th, 2014
“If you want to get better at something, you have to do the reps. Dreams work the same way. You don’t get to pick and choose a life of home-run moments. You get to swing the bat, a lot. Some of them are going to connect; some of them won’t. But each one takes you one step closer to awesome.”
— Jon Acuff
I have crossed the halfway point in my March Exercise. Yesterday, I went to the plate one more time and met the ongoing challenge of creating a harmonious balance of counterpoise in a collage. For me, it is one of the most important factors that determine whether or not a composition is merely an active “stew” of ingredients. As I added another miniature to my Bibelot Series, I completed the exercise of using journal experiments to concentrate on a particular set of design principles — the visual support for any ideas at play in the artwork. Perhaps I should have made this parameter more clear at the beginning of the month, and explained the history of the annual regimen. One comment maker on Facebook asked me if I have been creating daily college entries for nine years. Any earlier concern I had about the potential for misinterpretation proved valid. A blogsite should not cause confusion for those kind enough to pay a visit. On the other hand, more and more people ask questions before spending enough time to comprehend a fuller picture of things. Nevertheless, I am always willing to interact with my guests and answer any inquiries. I have a great passion for working in this medium, but this online destination is meant for the observer (and remember: I have a thick skin, too!).
In Pomp Arrayed
collage miniature by J A Dixon
4 x 5.75 inches
on consignment
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Posted in 1) Available!, Experiments, Ingredients, J A Dixon, Journal, March Exercise, Methodology | No Comments »
