Tuesday, April 22, 2008

A touch of darkness...



I just finished my 'Styx' ATC today. I had finished the acrylic, gesso and India ink background a couple weeks ago and knew i wanted a 'river styx' themed ATC, but wasn't sure what to put on top of the background. After doing some sketching in my new sketchbook today, i created a fabulous sketch of a skull with flames (inspired by a sticker i picked up). Although i liked my pencil sketch of the skull FAR more than the painted one on these ATCs, i am still pleased with how these turned out.

I realize that there is a touch of darkness to these cards... sporting skulls on them and whatnot... I usually do not have darkness in my art but i sometimes wonder why. Art is about SO MUCH MORE than just bright, happy shiny things. Don't get me wrong, i love a good cupcake card ( i was drooling over a gorgeous rolo earlier) but i find that people don't focus enough on the darker things. I would love to trade with someone for a card that had a little bit of gothic influence to it. Some major shadows... or maybe even just a touch of something evil. Not a lot... just a little. I'm still a fairly happy go lucky type of person, just have a hidden bit of goth deep within haha. Just a tiny bit...

2 comments:

Susan Williamson said...

I agree with you that art doesn't always have to be bright and shiny. I think you have to explore the darker side of things too or else you don't stretch and art becomes decoration rather than exploration.
P.S. Good to hear that you're enjoying working in your sketchbook. There's something liberating about drawing I think. Right now I'm finding it's more of creative stretch for me than doing mixed media.

Julie Collings said...

so fun to see your dark art, what cool textures and colors in the river styx piece you made.
julie