IsabeauxStudio

Here is the first in the series of pieces done for the 2006 Emeryville Art Show.  I started with the initial photo collage, that was compiled from four different photographs.  Three of the original pictures, a hibiscus, a tropical flower, and a picture of roots came from our vacation to Hawaii.  The fourth picture was a "self portrait" of Matt & myself  taking a picture of us with the camera stretched away in one hand.  I love how the picture captured bits and pieces of Matt & I.  All these images were mixed and layered together creating a look that was completely different.
                                                 

I love this image as is in black and white.  It definitely posed a challenge due to its complexity with multiple layers and tons of texture.  Once the collage was created I had it printed in large format (16x20") on textured watercolor paper to be used as a grayscale "underpainting."

 I then started to go over the grey tones with layers upon layers of thick colored pencil, worked and blended creating deep rich color.

The final image, titled "Wilds of Relationship," packs a big punch with color.  The finished piece is a bit softer in color than the picture above.  Much of the strong reds and yellows were toned down through lots of blending of color.  It was simplified only slightly from the original black and white collage image, all the layers and the texture still show and were not lost.

Overall I am pleased with the piece but would like to try it again using more neutral tones to see how it changes the overall look. The more neutral tones would help to make this piece more user friendly,  i.e. would be able to be in a home on a wall without clashing with the rest of the decor.  I would also change to a smooth textured paper. Unfortunately I realized that AFTER I completed the six pieces for the series.