Shape of things

Well it has been a while. I started out two years ago with this blog posting several times a month and now I am down to several times a year. Oh well let's see if I can pick up the pace again. Last winter I discovered the "Dada" artist Jean Arp and ever since then I have been playing with shape. I try not to think to much about shapes as I cut. I just try and let the saw go and give me some thing new. Then I do a little painting and I have my shapes. I can then work with the shapes moving them around on a blank  paper to try and create feeling or story. Every little movement of the shape changes the feeling of the over all image. I will continue to work with the shape until I find  the placement I think they need to be in permanently.  Each different arrangement I make I try to give a title to or even a story, The one below I call "Four On a Walk" These shapes have a feeling of individual character.

I will photograph many versions of these four pieces and at some point will probably secure them in place on a background. I enjoy the form not only of the shapes but the spaces created between the shapes. These abstract shapes are open to a totaly free interpretation. I find this kind of artistic play extremly freeing and relaxing. it evokes both story idea for my lyric writing, but has a musical quality; different shapes give me sound ideas. This all takes place of coarse in my head and is hard to explain in words. it has to do with letting the imagination fly and the movement of the shapes for me some how helps with the creation of this inner music, that I always hope will make it out into a performable song.

For more info on Jean Arp follow this link to his Guggenheim Page Jean Arp

Jeff moving shapes around






"Looking Four a Way Out"