I live in a culture of good manners and southern charm. And sometimes that takes away the freedom transparency has to offer. I think about this as I compare the unspoken societal rules of respect and polite manners of small southern town living to German frankness and stoic silence - I am acquainted with both.
I believe all these behaviors, I have lived and interacted within desire simply to extend respect and kindness to the other person. Yet, still these ways of communicating intrigue me.
Where is the balance within me? this person of two cultures? Feeling at home in both but yet, also a stranger at times.
In considering this, I have taken on another 100 day project on Instagram. (not 100% sure I'll finish this one... ) But I am taking time to revisit a few basic watercolor exercises and becoming reacquainted with my palette through play.
I do find the play on words immensely intriguing as I consider the meaning of transparency in relation to these parts of the following definition . . .
Definition of transparent
1a (1) : having the property of transmitting light without appreciable scattering so that bodies lying beyond are seen clearly :
2a : free from pretense or deceit : frank b : easily detected or seen through : obvious c : readily understood
from https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transparent
Something to think about.
Here are a few images from my first few days as I have explored transparency, layering and how the hues which surround a subject can impact its "personality".
The first being a color study using lemons as the subject matter. 2 layers of hansa yellow medium and then 2 layers of each of the colors explored.
Theses studies are done quickly. Mainly to see and learn what tones and colors are achieved through the layering process.
I don't necessarily like posting such quick, unfinished and messy studies. I would be lying if I didn't acknowledge that my pride feels something should look just so before putting it out there. But I think I am going to try and get past that.
A book I recently read is challenging me in many ways. It references Leonard Cohen's song Anthem:
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That's how the light gets in
And in order to be transparent, light must get in. Wouldn't you agree?
(The transparent studies in Daniel Smith Sap and Undersea Green are studies in applying pressure to the brush stroke and the impact it has in the width of the line.)
*Ok, so only after day 6, of this project, I realized I would be unable to do the 100 days straight AFTER ALL due to upcoming travel (which may or may not have internet access) and other obligations. So for simplicity's sake, I am continuing on with the exercises as I am able, but not with the Instagram posting for the 100 straight days as I had originally planned* 4/9/17
