Experiment

I feel that my painting style lacks mileage, so I decided to change it up a little and experiment with the background before I painted.

I used cardboard so I could cut out pieces and then replace them elsewhere to give a little relief. It also encouraged me to change direction of the paint, using the lines that were already there was easier I think than creating something completely new. 

I feel this painting was a step forward in regards to being more confident with the materials I use, but I found I enjoyed cutting into the cardboard more than painting on it. I definitely think I need to be experimenting more with materials and sculpture, using paint to support the experiments.

Discoveries

I've been feeling increasingly hopeless in the studios since my assessment. Nothing I have produced so far has been a new idea, I've just picked up from where I left off in college.

So whilst I was well and truly scrapping at the bottom of the barrel I "made" this: 

During the hours it took to careful wrap this spade in masking tape I solved a lot of problems. There were points when the process was frustrating and seemingly impossible, but I persevered regardless and the finished product was unbelievably satisfying.

 Unbelievable because I have always considered myself a painter and to get so much joy from making a sculpture was a surprise. But I think this is a good thing and I intend to explore objects& masking tape more.