Following on from the previous post in which Mike described his flipped process in relation to ceramics work, Lance has been experimenting with his own flipped approach to creativity, specifically in relation to the pace of painting on canvas.
Lance is no stranger to creating ‘slow’ works, particularly in his video art; these works take patience, a gradual assembling of images, many overlaid and composited, numerous slight tweaks to colour, opacity and even audio. Usually this was undertaken with an intention in mind, but experimentation was the key and the works could go in new and unexpected directions as the creative process unfolded.
Working with paint on canvas however, Lance’s approach would by nature be freer, faster and more fluid, particularly when creating abstract imagery. His latest project is taking an approach differently; to slow the process right down.
Lance: “The notion came to me from a discussion with Mike about embroidery. He was explaining the process of working the thread through cloth to build up an image, albeit in a necessarily slow and deliberate way. I thought “could I apply this method to painting?””. The idea took hold, so Lance bought a 16″ square canvas and just began mark making with acrylics. He would work on very small details at a time, areas of paint gradually applied which would, over time, work outwards and connect with other marks to eventually fill the canvas.
“The challenge for me was to deliberately slow the process. Usually I apply paint in a much larger, freer manner, creating images that are very fluid and expressionistic, evolving from long flowing lines. With this project I found that the deliberately slow application of paint made me more mindful and focussed, consciously resisting the urge to flow with big gestures. I work on it sporadically, sometimes after work as a means of winding down, and hang it on my office wall in between times, so I can see its evolution.
“The marks are never premeditated – rather I sit with the canvas for a bit and then just begin adding the paint, letting the images manifest subconsciously. Looking at the work so far brings to mind the symbolist works of Joan Miró for me, particularly as it is, presently at least, disparate marks that have not yet been connected. It’s kind of interesting especially, as Mike pointed out, some of the images looks suspiciously like sexual organs… oh my word, what does that say about me??”
As the work is still ongoing, Lance chose to show selected elements of it here rather than the canvas as a whole: “I like to intrigue in the viewer!” he teases. The completed picture will be revealed… well, who knows when? In the meantime, the paint grows across the canvas, evolving at the slower pace; as Lance says “It perhaps may never be finished. But for me it is the method that is the true part of the creative process rather than a completed piece”.
