I am now 50% complete working on the B&W roll of 5′ X 33-35′ paper. When I complete this second roll of paper I will have a diptych. I considered a triptych but talked myself out of it.
Brushwork with inks & gouache + drawing with water-soluble graphite pencils create different blacks and different whites in contrast.
I repeat & develop two images that begin the first blue roll of paper. The moon-ish figure and the dna figure (below) & seen above.
A fountain springs from ‘bird-human’s’ hand and at the same time is a swan’s neck.
Within the fountain or swan’s neck a series of images depict a beast ‘vomiting’ a seed which shoots into the earth (mound), takes root and rises.
The green bit of tape shows the 17′ mark. Animal shapes and double faces. A joker or fool. Figures in the mound. ‘Watery spray’ opening into what comes next…
Being 50% complete with this roll of paper equals being 50% through completing a triptych. The plan is for visual poetry on the third roll of paper. The challenge now, in completing the second roll of paper, is to move away from intricate detail.
The idea is to keep track of my hours (with the pen & the book) after each day’s effort.
I’ve organized (with high-tech paper clips) the rough sketches and ideas to complete the second roll of paper. I don’t know yet how I’ll use these ideas – deliberately composing or spontaneously expressing.
Previously in progress:
Beginning where I left off @ 25% with this face & beginning to elaborate.
Ceremonial crown inspired by the European deer-god idea Cernunnos. Antlers look branch-like as well.
So far in January I have used the pen & the book to keep track of the hours I put into my current B&W work – on a long roll of Fabriano mid-weight paper.
3rd section
Working on the floor like an iguana I am almost 1/3rd through the roll of paper working with black & white gouache, B&W ink, water-soluble graphite pencils, and drawing pens.
4th section almost complete
At first I thought this might be Boudicea, Queen of the Icenis. I considered developing a metaphor based on her famed history & Celtic roots. Then I started thinking ‘more of a shapeshifter than Boudicea.’ My main impetus is not to illustrate an idea or theme but to watch images (in relationship) develop organically and interpret the meaning. Some images are planned and some are spontaneous.
Detail 4th sectionDetail 3rd sectionThe pen and the book to keep track of the plan. Writing hours worked after they are done.
I will shift into a different ‘feeling’ of depiction soon. Around the 1/3rd mark.
1st section2nd section – my phone camera is disappointing.
This work will mirror (in part) & dovetail with my previous subject matter on the ‘long blue roll’ of Fabriano mid-weight paper (same height and length).
S. McCabe, Druidica Blue: Deja Vu (Cave Art of the New Psyche) 2022, 5’H X 35’LDetail 2nd sectionDetail 2nd section
So it seems I will have a two-part work on two rolls of paper.
Detail 2nd section
Now it seems the plan is for the work to become a diptych. I think this fits the criteria for a diptych.
Detail between sections 1 & 2
My goal is to reintroduce images from the ‘original’ (first) ‘mostly blues’ roll of paper into the B&W (second) roll of paper and develop the themes manifesting my investigations over the last few years.
S. McCabe, Druidica Blue: Deja Vu (Cave Art of the New Psyche) 2022, 5’H X 35’LDetail
My plan will take a few months longer as I complete part two of this two-part work (a mere 2/3rds of the current roll of paper to complete).
Detail
Info about the overall project:
In 2022 I completed a long painting/drawing on Italian mid-weight paper titled ‘Druidica Blue: Deja Vu (Cave Art of the New Psyche).‘
poemimage 