Numbers Series #23

Mixed media on wood panel, 12” x 12”, Private Collection

After priming the panel with white gesso, and then painting it black, I affixed two wonderful papers to create the background. The vertical stripes determined the layout. So rather like solving a jigsaw puzzle, it was a matter of adding the ephemera on hand. Images can be manipulated, recolored and added. The authenticity of nothing is guaranteed! As usual, the images have no cultural relationship to each other. Using a transfer method, I applied the wheels of a large machine from an old black-and-white print, as well as the calligraphy. Transferring to paper is easier than to a painted surface. To create a shadowy effect, I buffed the corners and sides with dark pastels using cotton wool.