Markings - Artist Statement
Markings #7 ©2007 64"x 72"
Markings - Artist Statement
A while back I posted my first pass at an artist statement for the Markings series. Here’s the latest version that I’m using for the show: Markings: Repetition and Pattern.
I began drawing in 2005 and was quickly fascinated with cross hatching. I dispensed with drawing objects and became obsessed with drawing pages of closely spaced parallel lines in abstract patterns. I love the quality of the hand drawn line and wanted to capture the beauty of basic marking making in my textile paintings. The Markings series is a result of that investigation.
The series refers to the comfort humans derive from repetition. We are soothed by the well known patterns that result from duplication: telephone poles in a line, a grouping of trees in a forest, our unchanging daily routines. The artwork also raises the question of how we handle the unforeseen, a break in the pattern. Disruption is often inevitable, no longer making it unexpected but part of the pattern itself.
Artist Talk
Today is the artist reception for the show up in Boulder [links for parking and directions are on my website here]. I spent yesterday evening baking cookies for the event. I love baking and it seemed like a good way to relax before my artist talk today. First time I’ve ever given one but the word of the year is courage so I decided to give it a try.
Starting today and running over the next 14 days I’m going to post the images of the 15 pieces of artwork in the show. I’ll follow it up with installation images, so those of you that can’t make it will be able to see it virtually.
I’d send you each some cookies but wordpress doesn’t have that feature yet.
Markings #10
I decided to start with the piece on the show postcard. If you click the image you can see it in better detail. This is one of my favorite pieces in the series. It feels very Colorado to me - tree trunks and blue sky.
Here’s a detail of my usual very close parallel line surface stitching:
Posted by Lisa in: Abstract Contemporary Textile Art
Tagged: artist statements, Artist Talk, courage, markings series, Markings: Repetition and Pattern
Deborah Fair said,
February 24, 2008 @ 9:37 am
Lisa: Your work is wonderful. ‘Wish I could get up to Boulder to see it in person. I’m glad you’re sharing it on your blog.
I was thinking that your love of baking cookies corresponds in an interesting way with your idea that repetition is a comforting thing for human beings. Repetition of cookie shapes on the baking sheet fits right in.
Wanda S. Hanson said,
February 24, 2008 @ 5:50 pm
I’m looking forward to seeing all of the pieces. I really like this blue one too even though blue is near the bottom of my favorite colors. The value changes are just perfect for enough, but not too much contrast.
Lisa Call said,
February 26, 2008 @ 8:06 pm
Deborah - interesting comment about the cookies - you are so right.
Thank you Wanda.