Thursday, March 3, 2011

plasticity of abstraction

This entry should really just be entitled "write something here." This is the entry that was and wasn't. Because this was the week that was and wasn't. It's winter, it's cold, the drive to work was icy, episodes of CSI were watched, I endeavored into the realm of constructing an idea for a project and then thinking about all the parts that would need to come together for it... I guess I'm still in the middle of that.

So, I was looking around the place for something that I could use for a blog entry. Given the volume of "stuff" I have, this really shouldn't be that difficult, but really, I just want to veg on the couch with the decorative throw and the remote control and do nothing.

So, here it is:







These are not paintings. These are not photos.

There are "artists" who are very much about the "process." I suppose I'm not so much one of them, which is not to say that I lack procedure — just that my procedure is not predicated on buying the most expensive or "professional" tools or media. I will not deny that there is something to be said for quality materials and tools. However, I own one "actual" paint palette (it's a tray for watercolors). Otherwise, every summer I relish in the fact that 'box stores' sell colorful non-microwavable plastic plates as though there is no end to plastic. Yes, I paint off of plastic plates.

The images in this entry are scans of some of the plastic plates I used this summer when I was painting the insides of my recycled paper bowls. In other words, that is the residue from these. I guess I'm not one of those "tidy" people who washes everything down after I use it, otherwise this would have been lost to the sink. I think dried paint looks kind of cool, which, I suppose is part of why I didn't bother to scrape these down or wash them off... that and they're cheap plastic plates, they were like 4 for $2.00 or something, it's not like I would even consider using them for food.

Of course, I just think they look cool. Beauty can be found in the most mundane circumstances.
Now, I should probably actually start working on that project that's floating around in my head before I forget it.

29 comments:

raine studios said...

I freaking love those.

If they were stones (the second one looks like jasper!!) I would set them into beautiful jewelry!

Have you heard of Fordite?

In the ford auto plants, there were slabs of old paint, layer upon layer of colors, that folks would cut and make stones from for jewelry.

Youve got the makings of some sarahite here!

raine studios said...

Also -- I have a plastic plate collection that could rival anyone. I just use mine for eating though. I heart melamine.

Erika Lee @ A Tiny Rocket said...

how amazing.. i love all the different colors. :)

Sherry said...

First, I love fordite!

Seconds I think these are so amazing and rich. I am all about the process, just that sometimes it happens in unexpected ways.

SKIZO said...

Wonderful
work
thank you for sharing

Michelle Brunner said...

I do the exact same thing! i love to paint off of cheap plastic plates except mine never look this cool! These are lovely!

Anonymous said...

You are my kinda girl when it comes to just using what you have and finding beauty where ever you see it... lovely paint scans!

Thank you so much for visiting my blog!

xo!

Christmas-etc... said...

These are so cool!!
Special colors.
Thanks!
Ann

Tatter Beans said...

totally abstract... and I love them...

Brittany H. said...

They almost look like landscapes. Excellent work. Very organic.

Kerri Farley said...

Very cool indeed!
What a great post!

Out on the prairie said...

It is all of your ideas amassed in each plate. The colors you found and played with are fun. I thought of leaves in the ice or minerals when I saw them.

Bob Bushell said...

"Triffic stuff" Sarah.

Lisa Gordon said...

These are fantastic Sarah.
I especially love the last one.
Such beautiful colors!

Happy Little Trees Studio said...

They're wonderful! Thanks for sharing them with us. As I read, it was totally unexpected!

Anonymous said...

They remind me of satellite images, very pretty and earthy. : )

Hilary said...

Sarah, I wouldn't have even begun to guess what it was. I'm glad they didn't end up down the drain or I'd never have known how lovely dried paint on plastic plates could look.

blue moss said...

hello....
so glad you stopped by...
your blog is lovely and your etsy shop looks like it is as well....i'm off to check it out!
good luck with that ipad :)
michelle

koralee said...

Oh these are cool my friend..Thanks for sharing ...I love the colours.

Happy friday.

Dave said...

You know Sarah, I like the 'artwork' on those plates! Frame them. You may make some money? :-) - Dave

I'm Yee Von. said...

They are beautiful :D My personal favourite is the bottom one, calming and steady blue which kinda reminiscent the dreaming state in the moon~ lovely indeed!

Unknown said...

These are gorgeous! I think your process has created beautiful creations. I save my watercolor pallet because I love to see the colors that were created too. These are wonderful.

Thank you for your kind words.

Karen

Catherine said...

I can not believe these are plastic plates ~ they are so pretty! Your art never ceases to amaze me Sarah ~ fantastic!

Hope you have a terrific weekend!
xo Catherine

Kathy said...

Sounds like you turned a mundane, dropsy-and-don't-give-a-darn day (that's an old Southernexpression)
into some creative thoughts to share with the rest of us. I love the plate paints!

Frannie said...

I must say those are some beautiful plastic plates!
Just beautiful.

Kelly said...

...residue art...these are so cool, and I love them! (I paint on plastic plates too....I have tons of them left over from about 20 years ago when microwavable meals came with these really cool plates. I don't eat microwaveable meals now because I can't eat salt--plus they don't come with cool plates for painting so why bother!).

Kelly said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Martha Marshall said...

Sarah! These are beautiful. I love doing the same thing. I use a lot of home-made mat board squeegees when painting, and they get an interesting buildup of paint too. Sometimes those are inspirations for something new.

Unknown said...

I use plates (over and over) too, and have taken pics of mine as well-how funny! LOVE the middle one! I've thought of switching to those 8x10 canvas covered boards and then when I randomly have something I really like, I'll keep it...