Blog Archive

Monday, May 2, 2016

Re- Written





One of the most difficult decisions we make as artists is knowing when enough is enough or what would have happened if...? Recently I "finished" "Written" and blogged about it here. I'm working on another boat book and wanted to try out some images and revisited my earlier book to make the changes. Now that I've completely redone the original, I'm still not sure which works better. I think they both work but in different ways. One, the more spare economical mark maker and the other more worked and forceful. I had scanned the original for editioning if necessary so still have that copy as well.
I'll pop up a few more images and would be very interested in hearing your views. To revisit or leave alone??


And a few more....








So what do you think? The exercise was worthwhile because it freed me up to take more risks and make new discoveries. My new book is related but nothing like this,  I've used a lot of wax and bitumen this time to make the paper seriously waterproof.

6 comments:

Amanda said...

What a tough decision! As you say, both versions do work, and very well, but the mood is a bit different. I find the ochre-coloured one quite melancholy and that makes me thoughtful. The first version is perhaps more direct, in a forceful way. This, of course, is only the way I read them and other people will have their own responses. Will you choose one, Jack? Or have them as a variable edition?

Jacobus (Jack) Oudyn said...

Thanks Amanda for your feedback, my reading is similar to yours and I can't see why need to choose one over the other. A variable edition sounds good to me.

Helen M said...

This is a tough decision Jack. The first one is beautiful and more thoughtful, but I like the addition of the words in the second one - so I'm pleased I don't have to chose.

Jacobus (Jack) Oudyn said...

Yes Thanks Helen - I think it's possible to have several variations that all work but in different ways.Having the confidence to make the variations or look for alternatives is easier with prints than for making(or destroying) new originals. I think the hardest thing is to stay fresh.

Nathalie Nayer said...

WOUW!!!! LOVE LOVE these art pieces!!!

Jacobus (Jack) Oudyn said...

Thanks Nat, always nice when someone enjoys your work BUT -how come you have four arms??