Fun with Tape

Untitled, 2004, 9"x12"

Untitled, 2004, 9"x12"

Untitled, 2005

Untitled, 2008

There was a time when I just used masking tape to tape the watercolor paper to a flat surface before painting. At some point I decided to use it as a tool in my paintings. I was interested in masking out straight-edged sections . Initially, I simply thought this would add some interest to the paintings: I liked the contrast of the geometric structures and plant-like forms that I painted. As it turned out, I learned a lot through the process of applying tape to paintings in their early stages and then removing it later. For one thing, I noticed how the tape would preserve one layer while I was creating new ones. I actually started focusing in on the multiple transparent layers in my paintings and this really changed the way I painted.

For a while I became addicted to using tape in my paintings and would put it on and take it off at different stages. I'm sure I really became addicted because I loved the suspense of waiting to see how everything would look once I took off the tape. I enjoyed taping and re-taping and integrating unmasked areas with the rest of an image. Now I've decided it's necessary for me to find new and interesting things to do with my paintings every once and a while: it keeps me coming back and it helps my art to grow.