I started the assembly of the Red Road series of my newest enamel pieces yesterday. After putting the centerpieces together, I didn't like it. OK - to be more precise, it isn't laying correctly. It isn't flexible and isn't draping the way I envisioned. So, it's back to the drawing board for the assembly portion of the project. I find that artistry is often a series of stop-motion effort. Trying one method, evaluating the result, and taking aspect of that method to use in method number two. The procedure of trial and re-try can go on indefinitely, but to do so is non-productive. Therefore, I started a rule several years ago that I would do a complete re-do only twice on any project. From that point I would move on. I use this technique in my painting quite often. But when does the project deserve a re-do, and when is it just the Ick factor? And what is the Ick factor?
The Ick factor is a fact in (my) painting, and often in the production and trial of other items. Basically I define the Ick factor as a stage that every project goes through where it simply looks icky. If it is painting - it looks blotchy and the highlights are too intense; the shadows are too abrupt. If it is pencil work, the shadows and definition simply aren't coming through from the pencil to the paper. For jewelry, the finish doesn't work, the solder doesn't flow, the design doesn't come together within the physical realities of this world as opposed to the world of imagination. Everything has an Ick factor point, and the successful artist pushes through that point to come to a successful conclusion. I will get through the Ick factor with the Red Road series, but I have a suspicion that the end piece will have a far different appearance from my initial mind-image. BUT when I am through - the pieces will work and I will be happy to offer them up for sale.
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