Saturday, January 24, 2009

Opinions, Please

I am working on a new series of collages, mixing paper and cloth. The base layer is in the photographs above. My question is ... does the brown paper behind it all in the second version add or detract? I cannot decide if I like it in the composition, or if I am just in love with the texture it adds. Please email me or leave a comment with your opinion.

35 comments:

Beth Wheeler said...

Put me on the "really like the second version" list, Karen!

Beth Wheeler

Terry Grant said...

Me too. I like both, but I do think the texture of the paper adds nicely to the piece and the expansion of the horizontal dimension works.

Sherryl said...

I like the balance the brown paper adds, but I think the color dulls the rest of it down.

Anonymous said...

I am LOVING how the brown paper completes the whole piece...!!!

Denise Aumick said...

I like both compositions - perhaps this is the same for you making it hard for you to choose which direction to follow? The second piece is a smidge more appealing to me. The 'frame' around the smaller focal piece plays nicely with the outer brown paper.

Mary Ann Littlejohn said...

I like the second one. The color and texture of the brown paper makes the color scheme richer.

Linda B. said...

Definitely - with the brown paper.It isn't just the texture, there is something about the colour/proportion that brings the other elements together.

MSB said...

Both are pleasing to the eye. The second one, with brown paper, is better because of all of the above mentioned items: texture, borders, color. There is something more that draws your eye into the composition.

Rebecca said...

I'm going to split the difference, Karen. While I like the brown paper, I love more the torn edge of your focal piece on the first one. My thought is that if you add the brown paper to just the left side of the composition it will balance the horizontal piece but leave that wonderful torn edge.

Becky

Linda Teddlie Minton said...

I like the composition much better in the second picture, with the brown paper. It seems to "complete" the piece, which the first image needed. Love the uneven edges!

silkpjs said...

With, definitely. That horizontal brown pushes back into space, leaving the verticals free-standing and giving a strong 3rd dimension.

To me it immediately suggested a scene of a presentation: the bright framed piece out front is the offering, the verticals are the group chosen to present, all dressed in their best, and the brown behind is the committee, in suits. That hierarchy can be used with whatever metaphor you like.

Norma Schlager said...

Count me in for #2. It seem to me a more complete and balanced composition. I would have liked to see a bigger picture. When I click on each they are virtually the same size.

Beverly said...

I like the second one better- I think the addition to the horizontal width helps, and and the texture it adds is a plus too.

Jamie Fingal said...

I like the balance and colors of the 2nd one. It adds dimension to your piece.

Anonymous said...

well I'm going to split from popular opinion. I'm not a fan of the brown. I like the shapes and the texture that they add but not the color.

Sandy said...

Hi Karen,
I haven't read the other messages yet, as I came over from Quilt Voices and want to say what is fresh in my mind. I like the second one. I think the piece needs the horizontal background. It echos the smaller horizontal piece in teh foreground and thus gives it more focus and meaning.

I love your work. Glad to see you translating it to fabric.
Sandy in the UK

Monty Wilson said...

i also like the second collage better. It seems more finished, and more balanced. And I really like the texture of the brown paper.

Anonymous said...

The second one seems more balanced to me but I'd change the color of the horizontal brown piece. Not enough contrast for my taste.
Love your work!

Carole said...

Hi Karen, I don't think you need another vote, but I am in for the second one as well.
Carole
[B.C. and love your work]

Cathy Vigor said...

I like the brown paper. Nice texture and it repeats the rectangular shape of the inset.
Cathy in KY

Colleen E Kelly said...

Loved the first one.
Loved even more the 2nd one, have you thought of tearing the paper on the left side?

Colleen in Portland OR

Cate Rose said...

Me, too, for the second one. Looks more complete to my eye.

Nancy said...

Hi Karen,

I also like the second one best. It seems more complete, and I like the texture that the brown adds.

The Idaho Beauty said...

I'd say it adds, if for no other reason than it brings a certain balance to the piece.

Judy Sall Fiber Art said...

I think #2 has a more appealing shape, whether by using the brown fabric or another.

Judy

Karoda said...

my eyes stay in the 2nd piece...the 1st piece leads my eyes out of the piece.

Linda Cline said...

I like both compositions. The second has a more horizontal feel.

I didn't notice the paper behind on the second version at all. Just thought the brown was two more strips.

What if you cut strips from the brown paper, to make it a less rectangular and continue the theme of randomly cut vertical strips?

Cay Denise said...

I like the brown, but it could be becuase of the width it adds to the piece. I'd try a couple of other paper colors to see if they add to the 'weight' of the piece just as well or better.

Julie Bagamary said...

I too prefer the second piece because it allows the "framed" section to be highlighted! Very nice!

Louise in SW Saskatchewan said...

I just like the second piece better - brown and all. don't have all the technical reasons for why but I would buy the second one over the first! And, no, I don't think it dulls it down, I think it cmplements the other colours in the piece.

bailey said...

The 1st has a kind of dissonance to it while the 2nd has a frame and makes it feel more complete. I did wonder about taking out the left strip of brown or making it a little different in some way so that it DOESN'T seem quite so balanced...to me, balanced isn't always as interesting.

RoseMary said...

For me, the brown takes away from the over all appreance. It hides the torn edge, another color would be better. But then color is ones choice.

Seth said...

I agree with Becky. Love the short edge on the right but keeping the brown paper on the left adds so much texture and balances the composition. Also like the idea that you have asked for feedback and have gotten so many responses.

Debbi Baker said...

Wow - so many comments! They are lovely collages and I prefer the second piece and although I am not totally wrapt in the colour itself the brown background really does balance out the piece. The texture is great. But for me the small dark brown framed piece on the top is too dominating - I'd try some other colour variations or a thinner border myself. PS Your tree photos are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

I am a little late commenting. I am not certain why but the first one seems incomplete to me. I definitely like what the brown shape does for the second one, even though I am not usually a fan of brown