Back to basics. Just black and white collage designs. Trying to brainstorm designs for abstract paintings.
Observe the negative spaces within the simple compositions creating dynamic tension.
Observe the repetition and placement of  similar shapes within the composition.

Black and white 1

Black and white 2

Black and white 3

Black and white 4

 

Remember how we made mixed media hearts from construction paper, glue, tissue, and glitter. Well, this is the grown-up version !!
Playing with the heart shape as any other shape - circle, square, etc. More than any other shape the heart shape has cliched feelings/ emotions attached to it and that makes it even more exciting to work with as an artist.

Hearts on a String

Good Vibes

Happy Valentine's Day

Love is In the Air

 

In 2017, the MFA Boston had a wonderful exhibition of Matisse's cutouts. When i saw the show i was immediately taken by the simplicity and childlike plafulness of the cutouts. I think a seed was sown in my mind.
Then in 2018, i started researching collage work and found a friend who does this type of work, So earlier this year  (2019) i went to visit her, took a class with her - Jennifer H. - she was very kind and wonderful and taught me a few basics to get me started. In January, this year i also took a class with Jean Carter at the Concord Art Assoc. she taught me more about how to be free with shapes and how they all go together.

Here are a few examples of my collages inspired by Matisse-

"After the Winter" - Black and white lattice with Matisse inspired organic shapes with fonts.

Matisse inspired shapes on his favorite blue paper