Artist R.L. Gibson

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Artist R.L. Gibson

Category: Digital Collage

DESIGNS: The Dark Slide

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Progress continues…

Thanks to Zumiez (Sevierville) & Headquarters Skateshop (Knoxville), I have decks for The Dark Slide project sponsored by the Dubuque Area Arts Collective. They are in the midst of being sanded, primed & gesso’d. But, in the meantime, I finished the initial designs, left to right — London Calling, México Floración & Miami Reclining. (continues below)

Designs by Artist R.L. Gibson for The Dark Slide exhibit in Dubuque, Iowa!

These designs are meant to be a study in iconography and how it connects us to times & places entirely personal.  The London Eye, an umbrella and bowler hat, sugar skulls, flowers & mattress ticking, Deco-era waves, a bikini & seaweed.

Safe, but personal –the psychology of iconography.

♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦

Cosel & Hellia.

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Earlier this Summer…

I was approached by author Annette E. Neumann about illustrating her upcoming book, Songs of the North Series: Short Stories inspired by history of Northern Europe. Because these are stories lost, I thought a minimalist, silhouetted approach with intricate patterned detail offered plenty of space for the reader to fill in the gaps of place and time that make stories feel personal. (continues below)

"Cosel on Horseback" & "Hellia at Campfire"--illustrations by Artist R.L. Gibson

This book in the series is slated to contain four stories.  I have finished 6 illustrations for the first story, “Pestilence”, and I thought I would share a little sneak preview.  The book will be published in trade-size format 6″ x 9″, but the  original illustrations are 12″ x 18″.  Prints may be available once the book is released.  I am excited to tackle the additional illustrations.

Stay tuned for add’l information about
the book release & print availability!

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Heart Breaker.

Posted on by R.L. Gibson
Heart Breaker, 11"x14" Xerography on Canvas by Artist R.L. Gibson
Heart Breaker, 11″x14″ Xerography on Canvas by Artist R.L. Gibson — a part of the “Do I Know You?” series

A CHANGE
in season

I’ve been busy testing a change in process–the addition of color and paint.  I am closing in on a new direction for the next series of work that I’m calling “Better than Figs” at the moment.

The new series
examines what it means
to really live.

 

The series title, Better than Figs, is from Shakespeare’s Anthony & Cleopatra:“O excellent! I love long life better than figs.”  Before diving headfirst into production, I sat down to edit the “Do I Know You?” exhibit.  It seems that Heart Breaker (pictured left) might be the best way to say goodbye to #DIKY.  Is it okay to mourn the loss of mourning?  No longer mourning puts closure or finality to the loss of my father.  I have guilt about that.  My mourning for the loss of the personality I knew as my grandmother has become acceptance.  I am grateful to at least have my memories of who she was–even if her memories don’t include me anymore.  I finally learned to just “Smile.  Because everyone dies.”

If you didn’t get a chance to visit the #DIKY opening in July,
you can see the series by visiting the Do I Know You? page.

♦ ♦ ♦

 

 

The Tārā Project

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Pieces of Me Ayra Tara by Artist R.L. Gibson!…om

 

I am not Buddhist but have a love of the idea of the Buddhist princess Tara.  Within Tibetan Buddhism, Tārā is regarded as a Bodhisattva of compassion and action.  Tara has 21 primary emanations, each of which performs different activities such as giving, diligence, the difficult, peace, patience and so forth.

Legend has it that she was urged to try to be reborn as a male, but she rejected that notion opting to pursue complete enlightenment as a woman.  And if you read the Praise of 21 Taras, you’ll understand how she became the inspiration for this little known work Pieces of Me: Ayra Tara (2007).  Aesthetically, this piece was a failure for me.  But, I never re-edited this piece because I came to realize that I didn’t make it to show.   It was and is personal.

A dual reminder that we are equipped to conquer all…
but all in due time.

PIXELS or paper?

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My Fair Lady by Artist R.L. Gibson, 2008decisions
DECISIONS
decisions

As much as I love the physical process of transferring images to canvas, the guts of my work happen as a part of DIGITAL collage.  Since the actual quality of the photograph isn’t my first concern, the photo shoots are all about capturing the content.  So, once again, the REAL STUFF happens in the collage process.  When I tripped across the Call below, I thought maybe I should mix it up occasionally and do a little hands-on collage work.  I wonder if it would alter the way I approach digital collage.  Hmmm…

This piece (above left), dubbed My Fair Lady, is one of a collection of found-object assemblage/collage pieces completed years ago at the request of a retail store in Gatlinburg.  This show (below) is a free entry and an all-hung exhibit.  Sounds like a no-risk opportunity.  Check it out, maybe this one will work for you too…

Learn more about the Collage and Mail Art show!CALL for ENTRIES:
Mail Art/Collage Art

ELIGIBILITY: All artists

MEDIA: Collage & Assemblage Art (newspaper, ribbons, papers, artwork, texts, photographs & other objects on paper/canvas) –per the call.

DEADLINE:  September 10, 2014

ENTRY FEE:  None

AWARDS:  All works will be exhibited online at http://collage–art.blogspot.com & at Tymutopiyapres in Lviv, Ukraine.

Interested? Read the Call at AAAD!