Washington Diary, October 11-19, 2003

Inscription

Oct 18, 2003

CLEAR AND BRIGHT. DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE. I WAS INTERESTED TO SEE IF A GRASS LINE MIGHT WORK AS WELL ON A SUNNY DAY AS IT DID YESTERDAY WHEN OVERCAST.

I WORKED ON A STONE THAT I KNEW WOULD GO IN AND OUT OF THE SUNLIGHT. I PRESSED CLAY ALONG TWO OF ITS EDGES INTO WHICH I THEN PUSHED GRASS STALKS. NOT LONG AFTER I FINISHED THE SUN BEGAN TO PICK OUT SECTIONS OF THE LINE. CONSIDERING THAT I HAD NOT PAID A LOT OF ATTENTION TO THIS PARTICULAR STONE I FELT PLEASED WITH THE WAY IT WORKED.

THIS DRAWING NEEDED TO BE IN A PLACE OF SHADOW AND LIGHT. I HAVE LEARNT A LOT THIS WEEK AND HAVE MADE PROGRESS IN UNDERSTANDING A QUALITY OF LIGHT I HAVE NEVER PREVIOUSLY BEEN ABLE TO DEAL WITH PROPERLY.

THIS IS IMPORTANT TO ME. I HAVE WORKED FOR 23 YEARS. NOT UNDERSTANDING A WOODLAND FLOOR ON A SUNNY DAY REPRESENTS A SERIOUS GAP IN MY PERCEPTION OF NATURE. I HAVE PREVIOUSLY MADE WORKS ON SUNNY DAYS IN WOODS BUT USUALLY DESPITE THE CONDITIONS RATHER THAN BECAUSE OF THEM.

Provenance

The artist; NGA purchase, 2004.

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