Taylor White

> Details. Ballpoint pen, acrylic and mixed media on paper. 17 x 24.5 cm, 2011

Developing a good process is a journey in self-discovery. I’ve been involved in an ongoing investigation for the past two decades and, although I realize the race is never won I can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement when I round a corner and see a glimmer of something that might just make a bit more sense than what I had before. I have a tendency to run around in circles in an area where forward is the best direction, so when something starts to coalesce and I finally feel like I can see what it is I’m running towards it feels like a burden lifted; a stitch in my side temporarily at ease.

It’s long been a struggle of mine to come up with a way to translate my mark making from sketchbook to finished piece, creating something altogether cohesive but without damaging the raw quality that comes out of hashing away with a ballpoint pen. In preparation for my upcoming solo show at Off The Kerb Gallery (yes, it’s true! details to come) I’ve been inspired to expedite that development, and the results have been exciting.

Above are two detail shots from a piece for that show (still in progress.) The piece has come about through a steady process of layering graphite, ballpoint pen, acrylic paint and assorted media in an effort to push the lines and shapes in a manner I find both visually successful and emotionally gratifying.

It’s working so far.