Thursday, November 14, 2013

Get in Line


I am a linear guy. There. I said it. The majority of my artwork is linear and gridded in style. Perhaps this is my attempt to make order out of a chaotic world. Perhaps not. In the past I have tried to change this, attempting to become more "loose" with my approach. But I am who I am and have happily come to accept that. 

This style is evident in my newest piece Radiation.

It began with decorative paper in shades of sepia, rust, brown, beige and white. I used the Squares 2 set of dies from the Spellbinders Media Mixage line to create a bunch of squares in 3 distinct sizes.


I glued these on a cradled wood board without much thought or pre-planning of design.



The I went into action. Using pens, rubber stamps and ink pads, I added interest and complexity to the surface of the squares. 




Happy with the background, I began to gather a series of found objects and metal embellishments.


Sticking with the circular theme, to contrast with the background grid, I also created two rings from black card stock using Spellbinders Standard Circles dies.


The final touch for the focal point of this piece was one of my many vintage tintypes. I have been saving this one for just the right moment.


Assembling the pieces and seeing it all come together is my favorite part.






Radiation
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Supply List

Spellbinders Paper Art Supplies:

MMM-001 SpellbindersTM Artisan X-plorer
S5-203 SpellbindersTM Media Mixage Squares Two
S4-114 SpellbindersTM Nestabilities® Standard Circles Large
S4-116 SpellbindersTM Nestabilities® Standard Circles Small

Preferred Promotional Partners: Tsukineko VersaMark StazOn stamp pad,  Tsukineko Encore stamp pad, Tsukineko Delicata stamp pad

Other: cradled wood panel, adhesive, decorative paper, card stock, scissors, rubber stamps, pens, metal embellishments, vintage tintype

26 comments:

Sharon W. said...

hello waldo!!!

Anonymous said...

I love this piece,Seth! It resonates with me because of the title. Perfect.
xolivia

AJ said...

this is SO cool! love it!

Carole M. said...

Seth, this is an AMAZING piece of artwork!! Thank you for sharing your extraordinary talent with all of us!! Carole from Chicago

Barbara Smith said...

Love that you're embracing your linear bent! :)

Hastypearl said...

Whats that phrase about trying to be a square peg in a round hole...I think it meant...DONT:)
Love the little girl...that's the loose and soft part...See, you've got it!
Laura

Rebeca Trevino said...

this is just beautiful!
really!

i just took one of those on-line tests that figure out if you are left-brain/right-brain person . . . with the right brain being the creative chaotic side and the left being the logical rational side. of course thought i was RIGHT, but no such luck, i am predominantly LEFT . . .
you should take the 30 second test, it was fun.
http://en.sommer-sommer.com/braintest/?data=NTMsNDc%3D

Julie Prichard said...

Be careful....soon you will be sewing quilts.

Unknown said...

Look great Seth, I loved the color!

Jennifer said...

Does linear = symmetrical? Or does follow the other? Just wondering. I love the piece. Being an asymmetric type though, I want to nudge the circles down and to one side a bit. But that's just me. Enjoy!

Unknown said...

love it. Thanks for the step outs. And stick to being "YOU"!

Nan G said...

Cool! Great background. I have to ask you, What is cradled wood board. Love the look of the wood sides. Thanks for sharing your process.

random notes said...

Hi Seth, I am drawn to grids as well although I do not do quilting like most grid people do. Is this something that we could do when you are here at Random Arts in april next year? Maybe this or a variation of this?
Jane Powell
Random arts
Saluda, NC

Anne Marie - Toronto said...

I love the warm colours and linear quality of your background! You've softened it by introducing the circles and the image of the little girl. No need to classify yourself, your work has it's own voice!

Bill said...

Better to be linear than to be square! Oh wait. I read artists are square pegs in a round hole world. I guess square is good, too. :O) Great piece! I always love your multilayer work.

froebelsternchen said...

my gosh! what an amazing piece.. it speaks to my heart!
and all the other pieces below too Seth!
fantastic ART..
and yippie...
now I will get the new book ....
off to AMAZON for ordering!

Jo Murray said...

An excellent piece Seth...thanks for info on the process, always good to see.

donna joy said...

great piece- love the little girl-did you use actual photo or copy? i find it hard to use originals.

elle said...

LUV!!! I am relating. Linear, that's whatcha call it! :)

Mickie said...

Amazing Seth and thanks for showing your step by step process. Your artwork never cease to amaze me.

Kathryn Dyche said...

When you go with what you love it shows. Cool new piece. Oh your book arrived, can't wait to find a quiet moment to curl up with it and discover what's between the pages.

Teresa Abajo said...

Love this piece! The background on its own is amazing.

A Magical Whimsy said...

This is a fantastic composition! I love the depth of the collage pieces and the color contrasts. But that adorable girl's face is the perfect, final touch.

Parabolic Muse said...

You know what I love about your work besides the texture, color, layering, choice of imagery, metal work composition and theme? And size and shape?

I forgot what I was talking about.

Parabolic Muse said...

Oh! I remember:

I love the blue you always sneak in! The royal blue! The cerulean! The BLUE.

Angi in hana said...

i looove this one! esp the background, grt idea, tx for sharing, was it hard to cut the tintype!? i still cringe at that, tx again for sharing and inspiring, aloha, angi in hana