Red ochre dance

As part of my process I mix raw red ochre pigment with water and pour onto surfaces.  This allows the pigment to dry onto the surface un marked.  Depending on how the pigment dries, it cracks.  When it cracks it becomes flaky and depending on the piece I purposefully irritate it till the loose pigment falls off.  BUT, sometimes, I like to make the red ochre dance!!!!!!!  My paintbrush is like a drum and the vibration creates an exchange of decomposing and rejuvenation!

Rooted in RED paintings part 2

Still using the Rooted in RED symbol as the basis of design, I switched back over to the red ochre to become the subject of these paintings.  Working with different approaches to the color.  Layering glazes  upon one another on top of red ochre to see how that changes the visual effects of the pigment.   Red constellation is the outline of  many Rooted in RED symbols, giving a new constellation.  The constellations were incredibly important to the Ojibwe people, likely Muzzinabikon images.  Woven Red is a complete experiment.  Using traditional basic weaving techniques I wove together a red ochre and red dye #5 canvas, creating a weave of artificial and natural reds.  

Red constellation  48"x 36"

Woven Red  24"x16"

Rooted in RED workshop!

Sign up today for the Rooted in RED workshop!  Working with natural pigments, specifically red ochre, to create a community mural bringing together awareness for equality.