Painting is far more physical than I believe many realize. The act of painting consists of making the wood stretcher for canvas or hewing & joining the boards for a panel work. In either case it is a process that is most satisfying and ardous to complete. I also construct my own paints from minerials, oils and processes long used in history, with my own twist here and there.
- Oil Painting
- Watercolor Painting
- Printmaking
- Acrylic Painting (I use commercial paints here)
- Mixed media (combining everything I can from pastel, gouche to oils to create the work I need)
I feel most comfortable when creating in both 2d and 3d by the idea I wishing to put forth. I feel restricting ones own creativity to a single type of material or medium is stifling and counter intuitive.
I enjoy history to the point of recreating it as much as possible. Let me explain; when I was earning my bachelors degree in fine arts I discovered printmaking. Specifically Intaglio using copper plates. Carving the plates to create the image was a lengthy process, which was repeated many times to get the desired results. It was so physical, even sculptural you might say, that the process of carving, or etching the plates was as satisfying as the final image, that I began exploring more and more about it's origins. Finding out how it all started, leading me to truly enjoy history for the first time. Learning about it's invention, the making of paper, mezzotinting, and the specialized tools created for different effects. Fascinated me further to the realization I wanted to experience it as though I was there.
So I began to make my own papers, mordants and acids. Found what minerals were used for pigments in the 14th century and experimented in my own paint making formulas and processes, as the artist's did before me. Wow it was very enlightening to say the least. I learned more by reliving this process of making all of my own materials than I ever could in a modern art institute. It drove me to authenticity of process and I felt I could actually have a connection to the great artists of history by proxy.
So It is the driving force behind all of my artistic decisions today, how can I create, who I am, how I feel, what I see... and bring them to others. The materials and mediums I choose are a direct result of my reconnecting with the past to envision my own future.
I am an artist living in Northern Maine, USA. I have been creating art in many different mediums form most of my life. Thank you for visiting my site, Shannon King.
