Ynotartblog's Blog

“How did you get the idea?” A question asked to me not only by others but also by myself to myself. My answer may come simply or not.

If the work is part of an ongoing series, I may view the answer in clear reference to previous work in that vein. With a new exploration, I could be easily overwhelmed at where to begin an explanation. ? An abundance of starting points with their own stories and peculiar routes awaken at some hard-to-pinpoint moments- ideas, images, wonderings converge and form a direction. Which thread to unravel so to speak? Fascinating to think about the complexity that requires an outline, a travelogue to articulate.

Then again, I can just choose where to begin: I begin at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo where I saw The Palette of King Narmer and became fascinated with the shape – more precisely, the line created by the outer edge of the bottom half of the palette. Its art historical importance aside – although it is well worth researching – this curve at the base of the palette was pleasing to my eye as it followed the side dipping, curving and rising upward. I wanted to grasp the feel of the movement as the line travels the steep path down with a short swing to ascend gracefully, gently, calmly. It holds a beauty I want to recreate, to copy.

So I made a few drawings freehand. I traced the outline of the palette and made templates. I experimented with positions and color and arrangements. How much of the lower part of the palette should I use? Had thoughts and tried things I can’t remember, and then I took action and made this: