Karin has a selection of Nelson's work posted there and this fabulous monoprint is among them. I own Nelson's preparatory drawing that he used when making the print. When I did my painting I worked from both the drawing and the computer image of the print. Someone else was lucky enough to purchase the monoprint.
The journey Nelson took me on was a personal discovery of the amazing impact of subtle shifts in line and color. I painted each summer with Nelson and a group of other wonderful artists who gather on the Oregon Coast each summer to paint the dynamic views in the glorious sun, wind, rain, hot and cold weather of the Oregon coast. I knew him the last 6 years of his life and learned a great deal about my own art and the art of the world. I continue to learn and paint with his son, Erik Sandgren, on the same glorious coast but this painting is particularly about what I learned from Nelson.
When you try to recreate the feeling and impact of a particular piece, especially one not your own, you must studied it carefully to determine what it is that gives it that important ambiance. It is a kind of "seeing" that artists develop in order to communicate details that most experience without seeing. My trip through Nelson's monoprint lasted a couple months. I would paint along and think I had it, then take it inside, hang it on the wall, compare it with the original via a computer image and the drawing only to find I was miles from my mark so back to the studio with painting in hand.
This Sunday, December 11, 2011, I am giving a presentation about my journey along with a show of my recent work. Please join me at Terra Firma Gift in Jacksonville, OR. 3:30 to 5. My work is upstairs with the furniture.
http://terrafirmahome.com/designdesk/index.php?categories=Gift
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