Stone Series (works in progress)

Charcoal on paper, each sheet approx. 22" x 30"
Click image to enlarge

No daily painting today. The day was spent with rocks in my head, working on these drawings that continue the "Heaven and Earth" theme. I begin with photos of actual stones which are then "re-invented," freely interpreted with paint or drawing media. The search is for more than just a picture of a rock. I struggle for a poetic equivalent...some kind of felt reality, I guess. It seems impossible to describe this intuitive process in words. It is often frustrating, not knowing what I want until I see it, but I do love working in this open-ended way.

Here are some links to previous posts related to this series:

http://www.dailyartwest.com/2009/04/nine-stones-progression-1-nine-stones.html

http://www.dailyartwest.com/2009/11/four-stones-studio-view-click-images-to.html

http://www.dailyartwest.com/2010/04/untitled-work-in-progress-oil-on-board.html

http://www.dailyartwest.com/2010/05/heaven-and-earth-1-2-3-4-charcoal-on.html

The "Heaven and Earth" exhibit continues through September 10th in the Memorial Building at Whitman College, Walla Walla, Washington. If you go, use the back entrance--they have the front of the building blocked while doing construction/maintenance.