WebsiteVoice

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

CAW - 'Strands' Show - Cat's Cradle

Cat's Cradle - Acrylic on wood - 7 3/4" x 12"
This is my painting for CAW's 'Strands' show at the Carnegie Gallery at the Columbus Metropolitan Library. The show features visual and performance art about hair, fibers, DNA and other “strands.”

Show Dates: September 15 – October 21
Opening Reception: Thursday, September 15, 2011 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Main Library’s Carnegie Gallery (2nd floor)


The theme made me recall a simple string game, called cat's cradle that I used to play with my mom. In researching the origins of the game I found "versions of this game have been found in indigenous cultures all over the world" Here's a How-to Tutorial.
close-up scan
While working on this these lyrics kept strolling through my mind:
And the cat's in the cradle and the silver spoon
Little boy blue and the man on the moon
When you comin' home dad?
I don't know when, but we'll get together then son
You know we'll have a good time then

This was the only part of the Harry Chapin song I knew, so in order to not drive myself mad with the repetition, I listened to some audiobooks. This time, as per a suggestion by Tracy Bishop I listened to The Golden Compass series, His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman, and WOW! it is an amazing audiobook series performed by a full cast. It has become my new favorite. (Don't tell Harry)

Here's some process shots
The messy part

Sanded and transferred the drawing





Clipped my color palette to the side of my drafting table.

Hmmm, I want more pattern

Decided to try some reverse transfers. Practiced on little test board, but still scary.

Came out darker than expected, but I like the wood grain showing through
Final close-up with painted textures

25 comments:

Sarah Melling said...

Beautiful! Your process shots are so interesting,, and I like hearing about your audio books...love that series.

Juana Martinez-Neal said...

This is awesome!! Love how it turned out!

Christina Forshay said...

Wow! Love, love, love this!!! I'm curious about how you did those pattern transfers. Gorgeous!

Оксана said...

Beautiful work!!! I like it so much!! Thank you for wip story!:-)

Maria Bogade said...

This is so amazingly beautiful, Angela!I love everything about it. The details the design of your characters and colour scheme. Lovely!

Elina Ellis said...

It is soooo beautiful, intricate and dreamy!!!! It is absolutely amazing!!!! Thank you for sharing!!!

Ruzapadarunki said...

Beautiful! Thanks for process shots, very very interesting!

Anonymous said...

gorgeous!

Unknown said...

This work is simply amazing!

Jenn Bower said...

Stunning. I love that you shared the process photos too. I also took a peek at your portfolio which is amazing. You rock!

Brooke Boynton-Hughes said...

This is lovely! And its so cool to see your process :)

Tracy Bishop said...

Thank you so much for the process shots!
This work is so very amazing! I love the color palette, intricacy and the mood a lot.

Shirley said...

Gorgeous, gorgeous work, Angela..the process shots are so interesting..and that reverse transfer technique turned out fabulously!! Wow, these two are beautiful and cats cradle will forever stand the test of time..perfect concept! I wish you all the best at the show..congrats!

Diandra Mae said...

Fantastic, Angela! Such a lovely piece with wonderful details. :) Love that you took a risk and got a great result. Let us know how the show goes! ;)

Suzanne Del Rizzo said...

Angela, I love your process...the colour palette and wonderful textures from your reverse transfer techique are amazing! I am not familiar with that technique and must look that up! Thanks for sharing it with us. And a BIG congrats on the show :)

Unknown said...

breathtaking! I'm amazed at your talents and technique - congrats!!!

Julissa Mora said...

Super gorgeous! I too need to look up this technique. I'm working in acrylics right now and I'm kinda struggling with it. I'm just not liking the consistency of the paint but maybe I need to give it some time. Wishing you much luck at the show!! :)

Linda Silvestri said...

Wow Angela! I think this might be one of my favorites now. The color palette, the characters, the costuming and I love the lyrical quality of their little hands. Fantastico!

Angela Matteson said...

Thanks so much everyone!

I've transferred on fabric before, but for wood I checked out some tutorials first. It's the exact same process, but with regular Mod Podge instead of the fabric kind.

Here's a good video tutorial, but I skipped that first glue step. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGrvUNIO_AI

valerie walsh said...

exquisite work Angela!

lil kim said...

Wow that is SO beautiful Angela. I love your work on wood so much.

Alicia Padrón said...

Oh my... this is so beautiful Angie!!! I told you, you have to keep on painting on wood baby. This is something truly special!!!

Congrats :o)

Katherine Herriman said...

As I've only known of your blog for about half an hour and this is already my third comment, I suspect I'm verging into creepy stalker territory. Sorry about that. Loving this "reverse transfer" technique. As a self-taught artist I really appreciate your generosity with your techniques. Also love seeing your process with all those yummy paint chips (if that's what they are?). x

Angela Matteson said...

Katherine, not stalker-ish at all. It's so nice to receive comments, and to know someone has visited.

Yes, those are hardware store paintchips, and some old Coloraid from my college days.

Unknown said...

oh this is gorgeous!!!!! what a wonderful piece !!!!