I've started laying in some of the foundational layers for what will become a heavily collaged, mixed media painting.  In addition to acrylic painting, I do quite a bit of monotype printmaking.  Years ago my wife made the brilliant suggestion that I should combine those two disciplines.  That idea has since given my work a much more visually rich and textured quality as I now will frequently paint, print, and collage various elements into a single work.  This particular painting is basically a continuation piece from an edition of gelatin monotypes I made last year called "All Things New (Revelation 21:1-7)"  The composition of this painting is effectively the same as in the monotypes, and in fact, will incorporate  a good many of the hand cut stencils used in printmaking process.  

While making the gelatin prints, I created both positive and negative stencils by cutting the various triangle shapes from a sheet of card stock.  I made a few different negative stencils by cutting the shapes out of the card stock in the arrangement I wanted to use in the image.  Thus, the sheet is filled with numerous triangle holes in formation.   I was able to reuse one of these stencils to trace the various triangles onto the pine block I'm painting on.  I also saved all of the triangles that were cut from the card stock.  These were used as positive stencils by placing them directly onto the inked gelatin plate to resist ink from printing onto the paper.  As these were repeatedly used, they began to build up unpredictable patterns of color and texture that were quite fascinating.  I'm a huge fan of incorporating random and accidental elements into my art, and knew instantly that one day I'd use these in a painting of the same subject.  This painting represents the start of that process as I am using matte medium to adhere these stencils onto the block.

The image is an attempt to suggest the glorious moment in which Jesus returns to fulfill his promise and make "all things new" (Rev. 21:5).

These little gems are hand cut stencils that I used in a edition of gelatin monotypes last year called "All Things New" that were inspired by Revelation 21:1-7. I fell in love with the wonderful array of accidental colors, textures, and patterns that formed when these were used to resist ink from the plate time and time again. I knew then that I would save these pearls, in fact I have a small ziplock full of them, and use them someday in a mixed media painting bearing the same imagery. So it is with a fair amount of excitement that I finally broke out that ziplock bag tonight and began to select some of my favorites! Stay tuned over the next few days for more progress shots.

The edition of gelatin prints are from my "Promises Series" which is a collection of artworks based on various promises made in the Bible. God intended us to spiritually cling to these promises to give us hope and help us overcome the struggles of living in a dark and sinful world.