Fun with Layers

Fun with Layers is a series that studies the experimentation of using illusionistic space mixed with material space. Mixing these two types of spaces allows for the viewer to see these paintings as if they have two-dimensional surfaces. It is when the viewer is brought closer to the painting that they realize the surfaces are actually three-dimensional. In order to pull this off, I had to solve the problem of how I would blend these two realities together. I was able to separate the background and the foreground into two different layers. In the background layers, I added illusionistic textures that mimic the actual texture of the objects painted. In the foreground layer, I used material such as: sand, string, fabric, etc.- anything that could be manipulated to mimic actual objects. These materials also had to be absorbent enough to support the medium of watercolor used to gradate illusionistic space into the material space. I was first influenced by Kieffer and how he was able to use nontraditional materials in his pieces. I referenced Kieffer’s work by using nontraditional materials. In Kieffer’s work he used organic materials, whereas in my work I used craft materials. The use of craft materials questions what materials are used to make fine art.