“Seeing Things”
June 13, 2005 – August 13, 2005
www.juliannadail.com

There are consistently two series of paintings going on in my studio. The series that concentrates on exploring materials beyond the traditional and historic uses evolves compositionally as I find new materials to use. Each material choice creates a complete body of work – there is a visual beginning and end. Currently this series is based on urethane, sanding sealer, stripe tape and eyedroppers. It is an under the microscope, intimate to life size portrayal of form and color. Utilizing atypical painting mediums and applicators has also allowed the introduction of chance into my work. In other art forms there already exists an element of science and chance, such as the acid bath in printmaking or the chemicals used in photography. If certain compounds are not mixed or timed properly, the desired effect will not ensue. I may set up the same exact parameters for two paintings but subtle differences will change the outcome. This is due to temperature, drying time, and, predominantly, the chemical composition of the pigment. Despite purposefully introducing an element of chaos into my work I am, at the same time, trying to harness each new mixture to create a constant desired effect.

My other series is an abstract figure which began when I was living in Cleveland in 1998. It has morphed from a stretched out lima bean shape to a soliped that hovers above the ground despite its noodle-like leg. I have painted this figure in a myriad of environments, most recently bringing it off the canvas and creating colonies out of wire. I have tried to leave this figure behind but it keeps cropping up in my work. It is sporadic and unlike the concentrated efforts of methodical investigations of my material based series. This series stems from the philosophical theory of Solipsism.

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