I have long been fascinated with process. Admiration quickly turns to curiosity for me, filled with a desire to understand the process that leads to the end product. This applies to countless forms – from furniture making to fashion to textiles to art. But perhaps nowhere is the mystery more mysterious to me than in the realm of fine art.

Even if we can see something of the process unfold, we can never understand it scientifically, for art is the laying down of an artist’s heart onto canvas or photograph or sculpture or print. An artist’s unique view to the world and their translation of it into a work of art is and always will be as one-of-a-kind as a thumbprint. Perhaps this is why my art addiction has such endless appetite.

“All of my work is an attempt 

to decipher the chatter in my head, 

to put forward a less awkward 

side of myself, to navigate 

through my everyday chaos 

towards calm.” 

– Claire Desjardins

Today’s inspiration is a voyeuristic entrée into the world of process, thanks to abstract painter Claire Desjardins. Her work entitled “Supersize” was the result of an unfettered month spent in artistic retreat at the Vermont Studio Center. Most gratefully, she documented the evolution of this massive piece.

The canvas is rolled out onto the floor to be cut.
An abstract road map is gesturally charted.
Bold and vibrant colour spaces are blocked out with great courage.
Daubs of paint are carefully placed into abstraction, a month-long labour of love and artistic vision.

“I poured each drop, 

saturated puddle by puddle, 

one at a time, layer upon layer, 

to create a fizzy sensation for the viewer, 

when standing in front of the work. 

I used thick blends of mostly pure colours, 

mixed with various polymer mediums, 

in order to create a plastic feeling, 

and one that makes you want to run your hand 

over the smoothe lumps and bumps 

that it caused across the giant sheet of canvas. 

Thick texture is very important to me, 

as is the shininess, 

and of course, 

the overall massive size.”

The finished piece, a constellation of colour and texture.
Claire Desjardins comes from a long line of artists and grew up in Montreal, Canada. She worked for many years as a graphic designer and was ensconced in a life of technology and marketing. In 2011, she gave up the regular pay cheque to pursue her love of painting.

Interestingly, Claire recently signed an agreement with Warner Brothers, who will be using several pieces of her art in their upcoming feature film, “Winter’s Tale” (scheduled to be released sometime in 2013).

Claire’s work can be found in both private and corporate collections around the world.

Wishing you an inspired Monday!

xo
s.