Introducing the art

of Random Acts

During the past three years I have discovered a new way of working by exploring the idea of 'random' within the context of my art. I have abandoned traditional mediums, and use recycled materials. I try not to have a picture or design in mind and each composition has become a journey of discovery.

Sometimes I work directly onto canvas using torn paper and card 'cut outs' from food packaging, junk mail, or other waste paper. I select these by the handful from my box. If I am tearing paper I don't force a particular shape, I try different edges pulling gently and take the shape that is easily released by the paper. If the paper does not 'give' at all, I take another piece to work with, and start the same process all over again.

One of the ways I try to take the idea of random a stage further is to work on a flat surface rather than my easel. I concentrate on the minutiae of each segment of the picture until it is complete. I only see the composition clearly for the first time when it is placed in an upright position to dry.

Another approach has been to work on a smaller surface as the 'microcosm' of the bigger picture, using the methods outlined above. Then the 'microcosm' is enlarged onto stretched canvas revealing different shapes and dimensions as part of the 'macrocosm'. In most cases I have contrasted the finished composition by it's mirror image in black and white.

An individual piece of work can be viewed from each side of the picture according to preference, four pictures in one. An additional aspect is that the pictures continue onto the edges of each canvas, thus revealing four more narrow dimensions.