An Experiment

I just finished a new piece in my handprint series.  I began the piece weeks ago by quilting grid lines on white fabric, occasionally making the lines shorter than the width of the fabric.  Then the piece sat unattended because I didn't have any plan or idea in mind.  Finally, I decided to paint it tan.  This was followed by letter stenciling and paint splatters.  Then, for some unknown reason, I thought it would be cool to add a TAP photo transfer of my father's hand.  He lost his ring finger in an industrial accident and I think his hand looks interesting.  Unfortunately, because of the angle of the photo (he was reaching towards me as I took the picture), it looks like he has two fingers, two stubs, and a gap.  Not the case.  I think the error (on my part) was not coloring on the TAP so the contrast was greater.    I do like the feel of the piece, with the gritty transfer and the splatters, but I didn't intend it to be gruesome, which I fear it might be.

What do you think?

Handprint #3: 8" x 14"

Comments

Kristin L said…
There's interesting contrasts and layers here. If you colored on the TAP, it should look like you intended to draw on it from teh outset, not like you are fixing something. I'd think that the best option would be to explore more gestures with the hand to get the one that expresses your father's hand best.
Vivian said…
The design is abstract and yet it gives the impression of hand. Not everything needs to be pretty! Interesting is also sucessful!
I think Kristin is right, you need to explore more gestures with your dads hand...
I like Natalya's idea of additional gestures. My first thought was that I'd like to see the image repeated many many times as it is but with perhaps other elements in the composition changing.
Anonymous said…
Vivien.. this is poignant! and I like the idea of repetition.. you just may be on to something here... and a very special image is your fathers hand.
Vivien Zepf said…
Thanks for the support and great suggestions everyone! I'm going to continue to explore this.
Norma Schlager said…
i admire the way you keep trying new techniques, like painting after quilting. I also think that different angles of your father's hand would be worth investigating.