New Work Wednesday: Formlines

12/12/2012

My new painting this week is entitled Formlines.

©2012 Mary C. Nasser, Formlines, mixed-media/acrylic on canvas, 4 x 6 inches

This week's painting also layers Matisse Background Colors, Liquitex spray paints with Artistcellar's Old World Map Series Stencils, a vintage survey map, and acrylic paint and media on small stretched canvas.

Its title was inspired by the composition: a repetition of a variety of contour lines.
Formlines is a map term that means lines, resembling contour lines, drawn to present a conception of the shape of the terrain without regard to a true datum or regular spacing.

And speaking of this painting's composition...You may have heard the story of Kandinsky seeing one of his own paintings on its side and noticing it looked better sideway. I felt the same way about this painting!
Although I originally painted this horizontally (see the image below), when I noticed it rotated vertically, I thought the composition looked and flowed and better. I’d love to hear your opinion to help me decide in what direction to frame it. Your comments are always appreciated!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog!
Hope you're having a wonderful week!
Mary^

47 Comments

Roberta Warshaw link

12/12/2012 08:56:30 am

Oh yes, vertical is much more dynamic! I do that all the time as well. I always check to see how it looks best. It is always a lovely surprise!

Mary C. Nasser link

12/12/2012 09:28:38 am

Yes, thank you, Roberta..."dynamic" is what I am hoping for!

Lisa Cousineau link

12/12/2012 09:20:40 am

Hi Mary. I vote for vertically too. You know why? Because horizontally, the water is spilling out of the picture. Vertically, the water is contained. Does that make sense?

Mary C. Nasser link

12/12/2012 09:27:27 am

That makes complete sense to me, Lisa!
Thank you for articulating that for me!

Gloria J Zucaro link

12/12/2012 09:42:29 am

Yup, I like the vertical because the"boot" toe is up instead of awkwardly pointing down.

Mary C. Nasser link

12/12/2012 09:55:38 am

Thanks, Gloria!
I was thinking a lot about that boot, too...was wondering if I my memories of Italy infiltrated this painting. :)

Rita link

12/13/2012 01:50:55 pm

I agree with Lisa completely, horizontally it looks like something will spill off the canvas. Vertical! Vertical,!

Rinda link

12/13/2012 02:00:33 pm

This has a slightly different feel than your other paintings, but I still love it!
Rinda

Karen link

12/13/2012 03:54:45 pm

I agree.... vertically.

because the copper line goes up in the direction of the arrow - pointing out the copper shapes (buildings?)

Karen

Tracey Fletcher King link

12/13/2012 03:55:29 pm

I am liking the bolder flat colour and simplified shapes... they are looking more and more graphic and interesting... loving this new direction...xx

Anne link

12/13/2012 04:03:25 pm

Love that turquoise with the earthy metallics! Yes, vertical is my favorite, too - dynamic!

sharon link

12/13/2012 04:49:42 pm

Your work is getting better each week, love the turquoise and I vote for vertical too, the first comment is right more dynamic!

Stephanie Corder link

12/13/2012 07:21:15 pm

Vertical or horizontal, this is a beautiful piece! I love the way you composed your colors and textures- so nice!
Happy PPF,
Stephanie

kim link

12/13/2012 07:44:34 pm

LOVE this new work! Happy PPF!

carlarey link

12/13/2012 08:42:56 pm

I like the vertical version too, just something about the upward motion.

Mari link

12/13/2012 09:16:27 pm

I see you without changing your theme has evolved into more delimitas and purest colors Usasr while the same range of blues and land. Hugs

NatashaMay link

12/13/2012 09:30:25 pm

Wonderful art! Love the color scheme. :)

Christine link

12/13/2012 09:53:16 pm

beautiful piece, it has it all, texture, colour, lines, movement...lovely!

Carolyn Dube link

12/13/2012 10:00:02 pm

Vertical- all the way! Such a different feeling to it when it is vertical vs. horizontal! Happy PPF!

Kat link

12/13/2012 10:12:56 pm

Hello Mary, it's a great piece, it goes so well either horizontal or vertical! I see the others seem to prefer the vertical option, there is a pull to it vertically, still so interesting to see it horizontal too, I think that's what attracts me so, the difference the lines have and the pull of the composition, so interesting!

Sigga Dis link

12/13/2012 10:50:34 pm

Love to see how your artwork is changing Mary :-)

Melisa link

12/14/2012 01:04:53 am

I like it both ways, but the arrow pointing down in the horizontal one bothers me a bit so I think I prefer vertical.

Art by Keri Keene link

12/14/2012 01:09:44 am

Your work is lovely!

P.S. - check out my blog for a little surprise :)
http://kerikeeneart.blogspot.com/2012/12/liebster-award.html

Kat Sloma link

12/14/2012 01:55:22 am

I like it horizontal too! I only wish the arrow pointed toward the upper corner instead of the lower. No idea why! It's just a feeling I get. Happy PPF!

Piarom link

12/14/2012 02:53:07 am

Horizontal is my favorite...You have such amazing ideas and your pieces are so calm to me...love the blue color so well with the browns!

soulbrush link

12/14/2012 03:19:11 am

I like horizontal and I like how the colours POP.

aga link

12/14/2012 03:20:57 am

Beautiful and very earthy colors. Happy PPF!!!

Annette G

12/14/2012 03:21:42 am

Loving the beautiful artwork either way Mary. The lines are so strong and decisive with beautiful textures. Happy PPF, Annette x

Leah link

12/14/2012 05:17:37 am

I love coppers and teals together. Very cool art. I vote for vertical as well. Happy PPF!

valerie-Jael link

12/14/2012 05:38:37 am

I like it turned sideways better, wonderful colour combo! Valerie

nora clemens-gallo link

12/14/2012 05:45:53 am

Love it, love my turquoise there ;) ...and I think horizontal is the way I like best.

Have a great day!
Nora

Kristin link

12/14/2012 06:17:27 am

Wonderful colors and texture!! You sooooo creative!! Happy PPF!

artmusedog and Carol link

12/14/2012 06:21:56 am

Wonderfully organic creation ~ more flowing ~ Excellent as always ~

(A Creative Harbor) aka artmusedog and Carol ^_^

Linda K

12/14/2012 08:51:08 am

I'm learning to turn some of my work around for different views-fascinating what sometimes appears! LOVE the vertical look of your piece!! Happy PPF!

Alicia link

12/14/2012 11:13:38 am

lovely pieces!

denthe link

12/14/2012 01:51:29 pm

Definitely vertical. Somehow the contrast between the round flowing lines and the linear work comes out so much better when it's vertical. Great work!

sandra sherman link

12/14/2012 06:58:14 pm

Beautiful work, I love the colours and composition either way :)

Mary Walker link

12/14/2012 08:25:47 pm

Thanks for sharing with SMWYG!

Lynn Cohen link

12/15/2012 05:35:39 am

I was going to agree with you then thought the arrow pointing up worked better for me. I am directionally challenged. Maybe that's why? Just me.

Elisa Choi link

12/15/2012 04:05:55 pm

The vertical painting has quite a wonderful depth forming from below upward. While the horizontal also has it but it seem not so obvious. I adore whichever sides you decide because they both look wonderful. :)

Ritu Dua link

12/15/2012 08:24:43 pm

Lovely work once again...I would definitely go with vertical...it has a better and more pleasing effect!

Jessica Sporn link

12/15/2012 11:06:05 pm

stunning- and I love that arrow! Happy Belated PPF!

Jessica Sporn link

12/15/2012 11:06:45 pm

PS - I vote for vertical too -- moving the energy up!

Ginny link

12/15/2012 11:53:50 pm

Each week I want to reach out and touch your painting. Either way works for me.

Gina Sismilich link

12/16/2012 01:57:40 am

Your work always captures me visually - the colors and the forms. I would agree that vertically seems to work better - but it's a lovely work in either direction! Happy PPF (PS - I ordered 2 of the artistcellar map stencils for my husband to put in my Christmas stocking! he he he)