James Matthew Behan

That moment, the moment from Dickens “Christmas Carol,” when Scrooge realizes he is not dead, that he is still alive, and his immediate response in his gratitude for that moment is to forgive those in debt to him, and begin the long process of asking forgiveness from them. That, that is a moment!

I am finding with this newest work that forgiveness needs to be an ongoing process to keep it going well. Forgiveness for the limitations of my hand, my mind as well as the material and others involved. It is hard not to become resentful toward a work that moves slowly, even if the end is rewarding.

With this work there seems to be a lot of calm, which worries me because I am used to creating work with greater urgency or heightened conflict whether in the subject or the material, application etc. This work is more quiet, but seems to be moving forward still with its problems but with more solutions.

I have a fantastic mom. As a child I was always encouraged to do more work, make it better, think it a different way, edit, edit, edit. The piece I am now working on is once again in transition, I am not sure if it will come together or not. But I have honed it down from 72 to 42 squares and it is better. There is that moment when whatever it is you are doing to preserve the status quo becomes irrelevant, it becomes change or die. And so I change.

After working a while through false starts, I have fallen into the groove to make this work of art. I have the process, the materials, the subject matter, application, and tools. Now it gets good. This is the part I enjoy…like riding in a smooth horse galloping sleigh over fields of snow in the bright sun with a great friend. Thats what it feels like.

The piece is so different from where it began. I find it amazing how this whole thing works.

Well, the wallpaper piece quickly became a total bust, a visual dead end like the beginning of most of my pieces. Seems to be a part of my process: start with an idea of how it will be, attempt to recreate that original vision and quickly run into trouble.

This is where the work begins. I have to move beyond the original concept which existed purely in my mind and work with the material as it exists. Having something materialize is quite spectacular, if maddening. The reality of what is working and what is not working becomes amazingly clear, and I am forced to come to terms with that visual success (most times an accident) and visual failure (from my intentions).

As a result, new ideas come. I am cutting the 6 large sheets of paper into 12 7″ x 7″ squares for a total of 72 squares to recombine with linen tape into one large (56″ x 63″) piece. I am still interested in projecting the floral print onto the surface and recreate with paint, but I am also adding the idea of pure squares of metal leaf and wall paper. I am also interested in interspersing one of my photos.

So it develops. Do I wish it would come off without a hitch? Sure. Do I think that will happen? No. But I am finding that this is the process, opening and closing, old ideas falling away, new ideas emerging. If I remain open to the process, ultimately, an interesting image should emerge, which, after all, is the whole point.

Working today on the wall paper placement on 6 300lb arches paper which I intend to work as a single image, or up to six individual images. I like that type of visual versatility.

The wall paper is circa 1965 from Grand Prairie, Texas. I like the arrangement as seen in the accompanying photo. The next step is to adhere the pieces to the paper. Fun!

“Oh, Infinite Beauty, ever ancient and ever new!” -St Augustine

I begin my new work with arches 300 lb paper, coffee and strawberries. I am constantly amazed by the process of art making–moving from mind to hand—as startling, unpredictable, and completely invigorating. Strawberries!

This is the first work I have done since selling my house and moving into a rental property. It has been long in coming, I spend so much time in my mind, that when I finally begin the work, so much changes so fast! The works of the mind are often changed by the mind of the hand.

I am intending the use of wall paper from my parents house, recalling again the notion of home, the primordial couple, the nature of family. Ink, first time to use this, recalls Morris Louis soaking the surface with water based material. These things come together to create a specifically personal way of seeing informed by my experience. I am in love with this.

Facebook/Twitter
—–Social——
What to Post?
Image: Still and Moving
Words: Still and Moving
I misspend my Character/s
—–Suspend——-
I Offer my Resignation
And I Accept It.

James Behan 2010

Enjoyed today buying wall paper paste, inks, brushes, bowls and other things to begin some new work. I am especially interested in the ink—new material!