"The Discovery of Calculus" Oil and acrylic on paper, 14"x17".
When I made this, I was thinking about ideas, and how they break through into our thoughts. Also I was thinking about Math, and other ways of organizing ideas. They change the way we encounter the world. They can encourage or bully our way of thinking.
"Diplomacy", 30" x 40", oil on canvas. © Caroline Rufo
Happy Independence Day! Hope you all have a great weekend!
Oil on Canvas, 36"x36". In my most recent abstract paintings, I always begin by asking a question. It can be a big philosophical thought, or a very mundane issue about the daily grind. My mind meanders over the question and I look at the small paintings I picked at random for this piece. (see some of the small images in the Chance Operations section of our website) Then I try to work out how these seemingly unrelated images might come together in a composition. Simultaneously, I try to reach widely to ideas around the edges of the question in hopes of finding a new solution. Eventually, the palette and shapes become their own response to the question. Plus, it really helps clear my mind.
At long last, I am reaching the end of this phase of my project. I've created 32 paintings this spring in response to the performance art collaboration of this winter. It has been a very long process, but the abstracts are beginning to emerge!! It was my intention to make 16 paintings, but it turned out I needed to make a horizontal as well as a vertical image for each concept, so there are 32. I'll be posting more images in the coming days and weeks.
Above "Down to Earth" 17" x 14" oil paint and mixed media on paper. © Caroline Rufo