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This week, I found inspiration in works by Samuel Rosenberg in the Museum\u2019s permanent collection. I was drawn to the stained-glass style of several of his paintings, Generalissimo (Man of Importance)<\/em> being one of them.<\/p>\n I did some research and found he was an artist and teacher in Pittsburgh, and even found a book about him written by Chief Curator, Barbara L. Jones. Here is a link<\/a> to that book and an excerpt from the description that references what I was drawn to in these paintings.<\/p>\n “In the 1940s, responding to the horrors of World War II, Rosenberg\u2019s subjects became more universal and allegorical. In paintings such as Israel (1945), his most reproduced work, haunting human figures do not allow viewers to remain indifferent to the world situation. Here he began experiments with abstraction and the quality of light, a search he would continue for the rest of his life.\u00a0 From 1949 until his death in 1972, Rosenberg developed his own form of abstract expressionism, translating emotion with color, but without entirely abandoning representation. Using sequential layers of translucent color and transparent glazes, Rosenberg was able to achieve a penetrating, shimmering effect in his work. His paintings from this period are reminiscent of stained glass windows in that they seem to emit light rather than reflect it.”<\/em><\/p>\n In relation to what I just discovered about Samuel Rosenberg and his style during this period of Generalissimo<\/em>, I too wanted to create an image that made some kind of social commentary.<\/p>\n Supplies you will need today include:<\/strong><\/p>\n Optional supplies:<\/strong><\/p>\n Step 1: Create the Image While it would have been possible \u00a0to come up with another important symbol of \u00a0liberty \u2013 other than the one that stands in the New York harbor, I decided it would make a clear statement. I made a pencil sketch on paper from my reference photo. Without a clear path of where I wanted this to end up, I worked the sketch a little more, adding my own details. Step 2: Create the Background So, I decided to create a separate background. You may choose to do this in a number of ways, but I wanted to use an American flag, in homage to Mr. Johns of course.<\/p>\n I used the internet to find an America flag and simply printed it over four pages, since I wanted the size to be 16\u201dx20\u201d. You can do this via any word document by using four rectangular screenshots of the four quadrants of the image, and print them separately. Then I glued my printed pages together on a 16\u201dx20\u201d board to create the background.<\/p>\n There are also other programs, such as Illustrator and Photoshop, that allow greater control in printing tiled images via a printer that only accommodates smaller paper sizes. If you are trying to use a printed image, you may need to do your own research on doing this step. I know there are many solutions, but it will all depend on the technology available to you.<\/p>\n Other suggestions for this step would be to create a collage of scrapbook paper, magazine pages, photos, or any other combination of ways you may decide to explore for your background.<\/p>\n I will note that collage can be tricky in the gluing process. I recommend Elmer\u2019s glue, used in thin layers, applied with a brush and then nice pressure from the back to get a good adhesion. I also lay multiple books across the surface during the drying process to maintain a smooth surface and prevent warping.<\/p>\n Step 3: Joining Your Subject to the Background To do this, I used several small wooden blocks to hold the image of Liberty above the background and under a direct light source, traced around the shadows. If you zoom in on the image below, you can see my pencil lines!<\/p>\n (If don\u2019t have wooden blocks handy, get creative with what is available to you. Anything of similar height will work, like clothes pins, marker caps, some kind of lid or container, etc.) To paint in this shadow, I mixed black acrylic paint with a little water. Be sure to check for the right consistency and gradation! Paint in the areas that will be seen once the drawing is placed directly on the background image. Once the paint was dry, I glued the drawing in place. Step 4: Finishing Details Note: If you have any letters that appear more than once, you only need to create one template. Also, some letters may be able to function as parts of other letters. For example, \u201cl\u201d can work as part of \u201ct\u201d. To complete the background, in another nod to Jasper Johns, I decided to experiment with melting wax. I used red, white, and blue crayon mixed with paraffin wax to layer on additional color and texture to the background.\n
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\n<\/strong>I wanted to do something with liberty \u2013 a topic on the minds of many during this time.
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\n<\/strong>At the same time as I was drawing this (May 15th<\/sup>), Jasper Johns<\/a> celebrated his 90th<\/sup> birthday. Happy Birthday, Mr. Johns! And, of course, I was reminded of his encaustic paintings that also appear to emit, rather than reflect, light.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>I used an x-acto knife and carefully cut out my drawing.
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\nI wanted to create some depth to the background image and decided to create a simple drop shadow.<\/p>\n
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\n<\/strong>I suppose I could have called it quits right there, but I wanted to add something else to the composition. I also wanted to add more to the background as it was only a collaged print.
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\nI used a piece of paper to create a template of the letters I would need to write \u2018We the People\u2019 on the surface of the image.<\/p>\n
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\nAfter tracing these letters, I used a watered down white paint to white wash the letters and a black Sharpie for some edging and diagonal lines.<\/p>\n
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