Walk the Line

The fascination with lines

Walk the Line is a large sized contemporary artwork composed of a series of lines. Now, depending on which way you hang it, that means either a vertical or horizontal attack on the senses – both of which offer their own unique viewing experiences.

Either way though, this is both a highly individual and stylish artwork that’s a celebration of lines and colours. This painting was the first attempt at a brand new technique that involved pouring down a near vertical canvas until it reached a shallow drop off point (that has become another painting in its own right). And, as luck would have it, I recorded the events of its creation for you to relive – check out the video below.

Whether you determine the shapes as lines or stripes is down to you – I refer to them as both. The linear nature of a line appeals to me in all kinds of ways. Not just because I can be explicit in how I use them (which is no doubt the control freak in me!) but also because they can be used to define areas, determine boundaries and set themselves as focal points.

Those colors!

In this particular interpretation of lines (or stripes) there is a reassuring sense of regularity to their spacing and proximity to each other and also to their frequency and size. It is these four key principles that define the nature of the painting.

For me it’s infinitely relaxing and helps me to make sense of the world. I can see one point leading to another as well as knowing where it’s going. Repeating that with great frequency ( I think there are over 60 stripes on the canvas) calms me immensely.

For these principles to work well and for you to be transported to that place of order and rule the colors have to work. I went with most of them I think and every major group is represented at some point. And whilst this may look like a haphazard rainbow of randomness let me assure you that whilst painting I was very conscious about placement of each line as it went on.

Nothing is weighted and nothing is unbalanced. The whole is definitely greater than the sum of its parts and a quick glance at the room shots will reinforce that. It’s a wonderful thing to stand in front of too; always offering up something different to look at. Line colors, stripe textures, the spaces in between – if you take a moment to stop it really does open up a whole new world.