In Darkness Challenge
This weeks challenge is all about the word/s Darkness or In Darkness and what kinds of feelings and emotions do those words evoke in us. You can choose to make your own interpretation using any style, and medium of art, so be creative.
So for example, you could create an assemblage artwork with objects and themes which you associate with the word darkness. You could create an artwork which could be as simply as painting pure emotions out, in an abstract expressive way or you could choose to paint a much more figurative style of painting with slightly more realistic images. What images could symbolise darkness? You could write a poem to express how darkness makes you feel or you could make a video response. You could create a collage from cutting up magazine images to construct a surrealist setting around the theme. You could create a image using a flatbed scanner as many have done in the past.
I am leaving it up to your imagination.
So why this theme of darkness you may ask? Well i say, why not for a change. In order to appreciate the light, we need to step into the darkness. And there is something very humbling and still about being in pure darkness, it allows us to focus on our thoughts. Darkness is something which we need in order to sleep. Darkness does not have to be a negative!
Many of you who watched my youtube video 'In darkness' were moved by the painting 'Anguish' by artist Albert Schenck (1828-1901) just as much as i was, and my video was a response to the feelings which this painting evoked in me. I have to say this was the first painting ever to cause me to be so emotional on so many levels. What is interesting is that many people felt the same way after viewing the painting yet there were others who felt nothing from it at all.
So if you are one of those people who felt nothing from the painting, then i am wondering is there a painting or piece of art which has caused you to cry or be totally humbled or moved? I would be interested to see what image/s create these kinds of emotions for you.
I think in times of darkness people find clarity and for me it has been a cleansing in many respects.
So i welcome your thoughts on the subject.
Gaz
This could be a Golden Ticket Challenge!
Views: 28
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by Wendy Johnson on -
Very meaningful challenge Gary. I have had a painting in my head for quite some time that reflects this issue for me. However, I have been apprehensive in doing it as I didn't want to address those feelings or expose myself to others that way (doing the nude calendar was easier ..lol) . But now with the encouragement of this challenge I think I will give it a go.
-
Permalink Reply by Johnna Edmondson on -
GO for it girl, I know it will be great!
-
Permalink Reply by Earl Alworth on -
wow,,,yes,,,, i have been kind of sleeping,,,not really caring about one thing or another too much,,, and on the other hand,,, caring alot,,,, yea,,,,soo,,,i open up my email and see this striking painting ,,,,and then gary's words about the darkness,,,,, wow,,,, wow,,,woke me up,,,, i hope i can rise to the challenge,,,,, i see more clearly in the dark,,,,, peace and calm,,,, everything comes from the no- thing,,,,, thank you gary for bringing a little balance to the bigger picture,,,, light/dark,,,,, yes,,,, yin yang,,,, how do you know you are having a good day,,,,if you havent a bad day to compare,,,,, eeeekk,,,, yes..... good stuff,,,, i am not afraid of the dark,,,,, yet????
-
Permalink Reply by Izabella on -
This challenge is right in my face this week~ I have been under a black cloud because of many sad things that have occurred to me in the last few days. It feels good to create when I am feeling the clenches of darkness, it usually leaves me, soon after I create something dark & brooding~ Thank you for this challenge!!
my sister wrote this to me today..I feel the need to pass along these words....Don't let anyone crush your dreams. Don't let anyone steal your joy. Don't let any pirates or vampires plunder your treasure or rip off your soul.
-
Permalink Reply by Mo Mapes on -
Izabella- as usual, you have captured the feeling. I love all of your works. I hope you are doing better and that the darkness turns to light for you. You sister is very smart......
-
Permalink Reply by Deb Godley on -
*clapping* Beautiful, beautiful.......thank you for sharing your stunning work with us.....I hpe your black clouds lift soon......*hugs* Debxx
-
Permalink Reply by Heather on -
Oh Michelle what a moving, & disturbing story! My hart is sad for you and your friend......I to find that painting out or working through a tragedy on a canvas helps. It seems to help in having something to look at, to visualize the emotions in colour and movement, just to show your self. Its good to let it out! Pain is a odd thing, we keep inside, tend not to share it with anyone. This way we can tell people how we are feeling with out saying a word if we don't want to. If you hang it on the wall when some one asks what it means you can tell them and walk away, or stay and tell the story. They can feel your pain through visualization find they ask no more questions and just stand and look to feel it with you. Im finding emotional painting is the most amazing thing.
-
Permalink Reply by Mo Mapes on
-
I agree with Heather-can't say much more. I hope the hurt has diminished for you.
-
Permalink Reply by leofaerie on -
Im sorry for your loss Michelle and love that u have poured out your feelings and pasted them there then painted over them its must have been a very big help in moving forward to a better place and to still have it there to remind you of this boy who was special to u and also to remind u of the senseless waste of a life through violence ......its a wonderful work.....
cheers
-
Permalink Reply by Johnna Edmondson on
-
Beautiful and a wonderful expression as well.
Badge
Birthdays
Birthdays Today
Birthdays Tomorrow
Music
HERE ARE 2 LINKS to TWO of my youtube videos talking and demonstrating about this amazing product:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIc02QBihJQ&feature=share&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zAPZn5TEyM&list=UUM6N5AOYoyg6eAkbcDWpNFg&index=41
So once i have my image printed onto transparency film, I take my Ezscreen silk screen which has been coated in light sensitive emulsion (These sheets come pre-coated so they are ready to use). Place it onto a black board, then place the transparency image on top (this part needs to be done in a dark room with no direct sunlight). I take it outside and expose it for 1 minute and 40 seconds (but time varies depending on time of day and strength of sunlight). After i have exposed the image i place it into a tub of water for around 5 - 8 minutes. Then i rinse the screen out under fast running water until the unexposed area (the black) washes away. I then expose the screen to the sun for a further 20mins to completely harden the light sensitive emulsion.
And this is the completed screen ready for printing. I simply use an old credit card to spread the ink over the screen making sure i do one complete full stroke across the screen (holding the credit card at a 45 degree angle). I immediately wash the screen out under fast flowing water and pat dry. I use fabric screen printing ink which washes out in water (which makes the process easy).
I love this product, their website is http://ezscreenprint.com/ (for full instructions and details on how to purchase this awesome product).
© 2013 Created by Greef.
