Deep Sea Treasure

PROCESS: I worked on two pieces simultaneously; both received collage pieces from the same painting source. See the other painting, “The Light,” where the overall look kept to a minimalist style. The collage pieces on this one wanted more than to sit merely on the paper, all glued down and looking like themselves. It called for much more work than that. I just kept painting intuitively, following the impulses I felt from the painting. After the initially shared collage technique with the other piece, it took three highly active painting sessions to complete. The edges of the collage pieces are visible from a textured point of view. But they dissolved into one cohesive whole after I finished it. I was afraid that I had pushed this painting too far. But, to my surprise, my friends and fans of my art received it well. | PAPER: It’s drawing paper, not meant for water media. To prevent surface buckling, I reinforced the front and back with gesso and other mediums before and during painting. | MEDIA: I used acrylic and tempera paint, along with acrylic matte medium and methylcellulose. | FINAL RESULT: Because of the various mediums and the tedious technique, the painting ended up thick with a textured, bulky hand. It emanates the grit of the working process behind the scenes. | PERSONAL NOTE: I haven’t worked in a collage technique for a long time. I found it enjoyable. Cutting paper dolls was my all-time favorite activity as a child. My inner girl was in her element.