Aesthetically pleasing? If aesthetics are a goal of my creative process, I need to clarify what I mean by aesthetics and what is pleasing. Why are flowers beautiful? There is an underlying logic, a matehematical structure that arranges their form and their color. They are functional, they are temporary. Food for thought...
thoughts and a flower
For a few years, I have been working on a mathematical approach to arranging color. It seems that with the proper formula, one may take any palette and create an interesting and beautiful piece of artwork. I am trying to create compositions where the colors simultaneously present maximum variety and harmony.
My current work is now, more than ever before, a mental refining of patterns and thoughts. frequently these work themselves out into sketches, lists of numbers, charts, equations. Eventually these make it to the stage of testing where I actually put color on canvas or paper. It's interesting to have such a logical angle right now. There have been years where my work is very expressive and emotional, painting without a plan. Right now it is all about order.
I'm trying to create a formula:
Limits exist, this is reality, it is important to acknowledge that. Am I dealing with 2D surfaces? am I dealing with moving or static imagery? I need to assume certain parameters in my composition.
I want to account for variables in my composition such as pigment, binder, substrate, and scale.
I want to be able to bring a variety of paints, inks, substrates, and using one formula have a successful unique outcome. Obviously the rules I create will limit my outcomes, but they can serve as a guide to creating successful compositions. A framework in which I may experience great freedom, knowing that if I ascribe to certain practices, I can predictably get aesthetically pleasing results. Aesthetics are not my only goal, but if I can get them out of the way, I am free to think about everything else.
Plants create flowers according to some set of parameters. Even within one plant variety, all flowers are different. However, It is always clear what they are, and they are all beautiful.