The Self-Isolation Residency 21st June 2020: Day 84

#artistsupportpledge 'From near black to near white I', acrylic on paper, 29.5 x 29.5 cm, 2020, Antony Clarkson, £75 + shipping.

'From near black to near white I' (above left) is the first in a new series of experimental paintings, the concept of which has been rumbling around in my head and even in this blog for a while now; I guess I could even say that to some extent the beginnings of the the concept go back to seeing Robert Ryman's 'White' paintings in the flesh for the first time at the Venice Biennale in 2007. His use and interest in the materiality of painting chimed with my ongoing preoccupation with the the painting process but also conjured up the kinds feelings of space and 'depth' invoked by Jackson Pollock at his best. For some time my own studies have distracted me from these ideas but now during lockdown it seems like I have the perfect opportunity to introspect, reflect, experiment and play with this subject again.

As a precursor to starting this series of experiments I have gone back to another old 'habit' of mine, photographing the moods of the sky (above right, Depth): of course anyone can do this anywhere and at anytime, but somehow doing this at this time on the West Coast of Scotland seems more than appropriate. I've often said that the sky here isn't really blue its mauve and this has been my starting point for both my photography and my new paintings. Working 'from near black to near white' has given this project both its title and structure; I've mentioned on many occasions that it is my preference to work with a limited palette of my own devising but with references to the Zorn Palette. Zorn of course used, probably ivory, black in his palette instead of blue, I myself prefer not to use black at all in my paintings but I find that using an intense mixture of Prussian Blue and Alizarin Crimson gives me a rich, dark purple or near black. As Titanium White is added to this mixture I start to head into my mauves and with the final addition of Yellow Ochre to the mix, the forth and final colour in my palette, I can create true greys that can take me 'near to white.

For me this is an interesting and important painting which I feel will be influencing my work for some time to come and from that point of view I have considered both archiving it or putting it up for sale at my usual price scale.   I have on reflection however decided to do something very different with it, I am going to put it up for sale at a reduced rate both as part of my #artistsupportpledge, but also as part of a new idea that I am considering which is a form of artist sponsorship. What I would like to do is sell the early experimental pieces in this series at affordable prices with the dual idea of both getting the work out there but also to directly fund the further development of this project. This means that by purchasing this piece or other pieces in the same series the purchaser will be directly helping to fund the further development of work on this project.

For more details on the 'near black to near white project, #artistsponsorshipproject or for sales please contact me either through this website, by email or Facebook messenger.

'Near black to near white I', acrylic on paper, 29.5 x 29.5 cm, 2020, Antony Clarkson, £75 + shipping.