Sometimes you don’t notice when you fall into a rut. While ruts aren’t exactly a bad, they’re not great. The biggest drawback is they rapidly become monotonous, either for you or for the people who follow you. When I started liquifying lines, my goal was to craft interesting shapes with those initial scratches of my stylus. Unfortunately, instead of pushing past my comfort level I grew complacent, and it took me a while to realize it. Thankfully, once I accepted the reality of my situation, I started searching for complete images hidden in the lines.
Last week, I had two pieces that showcase that search. The first piece to highlight my search is Perched Bird. After liquifying my original shapes, I studied the collection of blobs and started coaxing a bird out of the rough lines. When I finished crafting my purple flyer, I discovered a strange mix of birds. The image possessed hints of a pair of avian blended together. My flyer’s head and beak remind me of a predatory bird, like a small hawk, while the tail reminds me of a Peacock with its plumage pulled tightly over its head. And yes, my creation is clutching a purple branch sprouting from the tree.
The other work I’m pleased to highlight is Spectors. Again, after liquifying the base shape, and applying a gradient, I searched for a universal theme that tied the entire piece together. The first thing I noticed was the shade of a tiny creature waiting for his fellow ghost to finish forming. The rest of the silvery creatures were still forming, like a group coming together to confer about an important topic. As I continued adding more details to the image, its backstory crystalized in my mind. A handful of shades meet in the middle of a forest to discuss their latest trip amongst the living.
Hunker down in your chair and enjoy the artwork below. As always, if you want a better look click a picture to head over to my DeviantArt gallery and consider buying a print.
