Sunday, October 31, 2010

The Traveler Goes Trick-or-Treating

Well, not really, but it sounds a lot better than "The Traveler goes Halloweenish"- though the second one does sound like something I'd say.  I'm starting the 5th piece in The Traveler's Tale, a series of large collages I've been working on intermittently since the spring of 2009.  Maps are the main material used in the series, which is somewhat narrative, as each piece "tells a story" about the same character.  And this one is, well- kind of spooky.

 This is an old monotype that I started re-working.  It's actually a "ghost image", so called because it's a second impression, made using only the ink that's left after the plate has been printed. 





I started re-drawing the figure; I'm not finished yet, and you can see that many of the lines and shadows aren't really in the right place.  But this is just the preliminary stage of planning for me- like thinking aloud on paper.




This drawing of a model inside a piece of stretchy fabric was transferred onto frosted acetate so I could see through it.  Somehow it will have to be transferred onto the monotype, but at this point I haven't figured out exactly how I'm going to do that.  I think I'll need to enlarge it a bit so that both figures will be closer to the same size...








It still has a long way to go, but here's the general idea:


And a detail:

It is rather Halloweenish, you see?
















If you're not familiar with the series, here's a look at the first four.


The Traveler's Tale: As the Crow Flies

The Traveler's Tale: Balance

The Traveler's Tale: Once Upon a Time

The Traveler's Tale: Self-Birthing


I'd really welcome and appreciate any comments, criticisms, or suggestions about the new piece.  Have a blessedly spooky Halloween!

14 comments:

  1. sharmon, these are so powerful, I await the next instalmment wiht anticipation.

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  2. Fascination Sharmon! I'm loving what's happening and look forward to seeing how it evolves. It's definitely halloweenish :) The whole series is very beautiful. Probably on any given day, a different one might be my favorite, but today I'm especially drawn to the Self Birthing piece. All of them have a wonderful sense of magic and mystery, light and love, Karin

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  3. j'aime.. c'est très mystique..

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  4. Oh, Sharmon!! I just adore all your work. Wow! I'm so impressed!!

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  5. I love this series. Each one is quite unique. I would have difficulty choosing a favorite. All are beautiful and impressive!

    Have a wonderful week!
    Gaby xo

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  6. These are all wonderful. I think Balance is my favorite.

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  7. wowee, your new piece is going to be fabulous! not just during Halloween:) I love the way you are evolving this series, they are brilliant!

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  8. I couldn't figure out what the new one made me think of, so I went away and sure enough I figured it out, It has a sort of Klimt feel to it. I am enjoying the darkness. Looking forward to watching your process!

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  9. Your series really do tell a story- travelers tales aptly named and the images are so haunting and eerie at times.

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  10. Sketches seem fantastic and certainly going to be great.

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  11. Lookin' good and not at all spooky to my eye...the image of the model covered with the stretchy fabric is grand...it will be exciting to see how this piece finds its way to dovetail into the the others...all lovely.

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  12. Oh, that really IS Halloweenish... And lovely. I love the black and white. I think my favorite one is Once Upon a Time, but Balance is awesome, too.
    You'll show the final on the new one?

    Thanks for sharing the process!

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  13. Patti- You're way ttoo sweet; thanks!

    Deb- you're right, the figure was Klimt-inspired- good eye!

    Donna- thanks, and you're right, they are haunting. Sometimes I look at them and think, "Where did this come from?"

    Thanks, Leovi; I'm glad you like it.

    Donna- thanks as always for your encouragement. xox

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  14. Wow,,,,these are all wonderful...very inspiring work!!

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