Recently I've been painting on adhesive plastic sheets. I apply the sheets to wood, glass, styrofoam, or directly to the wall.
The color sheets are sold in rolls and can be found in any stationary or art suppy store in Korea. They are durable, come in a variety of colors and have a smooth plastic surface. They are used primarily to make comercial signs for stores and business. Large sheets are cut out and adhered to plastic boxes containing lights. Other sheets are then layed on top and then cut out to produce letters or shapes.
I use the the color sheets for the same reasons sign-makers use them. They are easy to use and make a clean, definitive surface area of pure color. To me, it doesn't matter if I actually "painted" the surface or not. The color sheets provide me the surface I want.
I use acrylic paint with a lot of gel medium mixed in that makes a plastic yet creamy paint that sits up on a surface like mayonaise. I'm interested in the tension between the liquid paint and the smooth surface. I try to pay close attention to not only how I use the paint, but how much paint I use.
I create the image in one shot. If it isn't right, the image is scraped off or I throw the whole thing away. I might get what I want the first time or I might have to do it again and again. I like the look of frozen immediacy that is created through this "practiced spontaneity".
I frequently paint dots, but not always. When I make the image on the surface I'm thinking about the movement that will be created. I think about the space that is created, and I think about the colors and how they interact with each other. Sometimes the application is delicate and sometimes crude. But I always try to be direct. I know if I get too fussy it doesn't turn out right.
The color choices I make are 100% intuitve. I see a color and think it might be interesting to work with. I often choose bright, bold colors. Bright orange for example. This is a color I wouldn't want to paint my living room, but it might make an interesting painting. Sometimes I'll see a color somewhere- maybe a roof or plastic tarp, and I'll think I might want to use that in painting.
I don't mix colors once they are applied to the surface. If I'm not satisfied with the way the color looks, I start over again. I keep away from over painting.
I might have two or three colors to a painting but usaully not more. I like to limit the factors I put into play and concetrate on those. The possiblities of woking with color are so vast, you must limit yourself if you want to really work on something interesting.
Middle right: Bid(detail). Acrylic on plastic on wood. 2001.
Bottom left: Tick(detail). Acrylic on plastic on wood. 2000.