“Serendipity No. 8″  |  11.5″ x 10”  |  $290

“Serendipity No. 11”
13″ x 14″ | $290

Last year around this time I started what I thought would be a one-off group of small artworks titled the “Serendipity Series.” That month-long experiment freed up my mind and opened me to new ways of working with Hanji – techniques I’ve continued to use throughout the year. Once or twice when I was stuck with a half-finished artwork, not knowing which step to take next, I put it aside and made a “Serendipity.” Each time I was able to achieve the same feeling of getting back to basics, seeing colors anew and working the mulberry paper again in a fresh light. These interludes cleared my mind, removed my frustration and allowed me to return to my previous work filled with satisfaction and joy!

Being an optimistic person, I tend to look forward, not backward. Years go by quickly. It’s amazing to realize that it’s August again and I’m back to what I feel will become a tradition: letting go and following a no-holds-barred approach to using colors, shapes and the hand-rolled Hanji twine to create the next “Serendipity Series.” (It’s also gratifying to realize I’ve been working with the Hanji long enough to develop traditions.)

Serendipity No. 13
15″ x 13″ | $290

There is one exciting new development for this year’s series. I worked with clever students from Salida High School who know how to program and use a 3-D printer. They designed and made high-tech brackets for each piece, giving the illusion the artwork is floating a little off the wall, creating unique shadows that, to me, become part of the installation. Check it out for yourselves when you visit me during the Salida Studio Tour!

As always, I enjoy hearing which of these artworks appeal to you. Your thoughts and feedback are of great value to me.

Thank you,
PJ