It’s All in a Name
Closing the Gap Art Quilt 29” X 27”
Hello Fellow Creators,
You know what time it is? It’s that time after I’ve finished a series, done the sealing and varnishing, frames are in transit and I have to create labels for my artwork. I know what the series is about. I know what feelings I want it to convey but I have to come up with 24 names for my upcoming show.
Here’s some things I have done in the past and my method for naming my work. First, I often name things after what is happening around me. The influence of external sights, travel and circumstances can’t help but seep into my artwork. The piece above was created during lock down in early 2020. I had no white fabric left to dye and small pieces of previously dyed fabric. I did however have a pretty impressive stash of vintage textiles. I decided to see what I could do and I made a series of several pieces that all had a lot of what I consider negative space. Coincidence? I think not. Then the pieces were pieced in small random arrangements and separated by the shades of white in the vintage textiles. Small groupings separated from each other. Coincidence? Not really. The piece at the start of this post is titled “Closing the Gap”. Wasn’t there a huge gap we were all feeling? I could have named it Separation or Social Distances but, that would attach a specific time to the piece. It would also give it a negative connotation - remember that terrible year?? I decided instead to name everything in the series something timeless and yet, related to that time. Here are some of the names I used for those pieces.
Far Reaching, Hanging by a Thread, Thinking Outside the Box, Circles of Influence and It’s Anybody’s Race (Remember that news cycle?) Timeless yet clearly influenced by the circumstances of the time.
I have pieces that have sold with names like “Nor’easter”. I made it during a day off of work because of, you guessed it, a nor’easter. I also have pieces who names I’ve struggled to find. Now I just sit on the floor, get grounded and look at the work. I ask it for a name and so far, I have been given some pretty good direction from the artwork.
Beachcomber #4 8” X 10” ready for framing
Another strategy that I use to name my pieces is to use a series name and just give it a number. The Beachcomber Series used stuff I had collected while shelling on all the beaches I had visited. It’s one of my favorite seaside pastimes. I also used this strategy for my Contemplations Series for a couple of reasons. First I had created 50 paintings so that’s a lot of names and second, it was about the mindset I used while I was making the work. You can hear more about the mindset here.
Contemplations Series 2 #4 10” X 10” X 1.5” on Cradle Panel
Now I have a series of 14 paintings and 10 art quilts that are in need of names. The art quilts are an interpretation of the winter landscape and so I will be considering names with that in mind. So far I have named this one “The Forest for the Trees”. I wasn’t sure during it’s construction what I was making - often the case in my abstract and non-representational work. But while hiking I looked around and it was a clear connection to me that this was the snow covered ground, the stark dormant trees and the grey skies of winter.
The Forest for the Trees is yet to be framed and measures 19.5” X 18.5”. But at least it has a name!
Finally, the latest series is about travel. I had the chance to get some travel time this winter and we headed south for a few weeks, 20 hours by car. We experienced St. Augustine, America’s oldest city. This recent series is influenced by the colors and vibe I experienced there. The beach house, the quaint city streets, the sightseeing and adventures of a new place. When I finish this blog post, I will be sitting with my paintings to give them their names. But this one already named itself.
Fountain of Youth 16” X 16” X 1.5” on Cradle Panel
I’d love to hear how you name your artwork. Please leave a comment of send me a picture. I’d love to see the work and see the connection to your title. Thanks for visiting the blog and I wish you a creative week!
With gratitude,
Claude
