Abstracts

“Middle Earth”

by Janet Tifft | Oct 21, 2014 | Abstract, Landscapes

54Av1This painting kind of bridges a gap between nonobjective and abstract. Color, shape, pattern are all jumbled in a chaotic arrangement. The shapes are somewhat suggestive of rocks buried under ground and so could be considered abstract. The artist’s concept of “Middle Earth” – a term borrowed from Tolken – is highly imaginative.

 

Ten to the Negative Forty Third (Planck Time 10^-43rd)

by Janet Tifft | Oct 21, 2014 | Abstract, Homepage, Lessons

Tiff4PlanckTime49AThis painting can be considered non-objective rather than abstract. These two terms describe the intent behind the composition. A nonobjective painting uses color, shape, line without any reference to subject matter or recognizable images. An abstract painting can distort and exaggerate color, line, shape but usually there is some form of recognizable subject matter. Titles are always subjective, this title refers to my concept of the moments following what is known as the “big bang” in cosmology, when matter became visible. The progression of warm to very cool colors in the composition suggests temperature change and evolving matter. The many fractured shapes with radial directionality suggest chaos and a restructuring of material. In nonobjective and abstract paintings anything goes, there is a freedom implicit because there is no one right answer or way of depicting a concept.

 

Bits & Pieces

by Janet Tifft | Sep 24, 2014 | Abstract, Homepage, Mixed Media

A gazillion pieces of cut out paper (a collage) with a desert theme – it’s supposed to represent a Palo Verde.web 02Basically a complimentary color scheme, bits of red and green. The black is a form calligraphy, in the sense of curvilinear shapes, suggesting tree trunks.

SAWG “Experimental Show” entries

by Janet Tifft | Apr 24, 2014 | Abstract, Mixed Media, Stages

My entries for the Southern Arizona Watercolor Guild’s 2014  Experimental Show

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In this painting the mat is incorporated into the main image with bits of phrases and letters. (Click image to enlarge)

“Bits of QTC*”
*Quantum Temporal Cosmology

 

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This painting has been “recycled” using bits of letters and words to describe the dimensions of color.

“Gala”

Ten to the Minus Forty Third (Planck Time)

by Janet Tifft | Apr 1, 2014 | Abstract

Abstract watercolor by Janet Tifft

49A-ten to the negative forty third (Planck time 10^-43)The singularity, the instant of the Big Bang, the beginning of time and the universe, the spark of life… Expressed in an abstract design using random shapes and changing colors. This painting evolved on its own. One space suggested the next, one color morphed into another. What fun it was!

 

 

 

 

Petroglyphs: Masking Lesson

by Janet Tifft | Dec 11, 2013 | Abstract, Lessons

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A (rock art) painting owned by my niece.

Given that this is a transparent watercolor, the white images of the petroglyphs have to be planned for in advance because the white of the paper has to be saved. This can be done one of two ways, using a mask/masking fluid or painting around the whites.

In this painting the petroglyph images were masked out first. Once the masking has thoroughly dried then the underpainting washes of color are laid on top of the masking (which is nearly invisible at this point). Once that paint has dried, one rubs off the maskit and the images appear again on top of the soft blended colors of the background.

Another example of the use of maskit. The design assignment was “RED” as subject matter.

Grandmother's Menagerie

Grandmother’s Menagerie