Marlenes Blog

108 Repetitions

Marlene — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 19:25:29 +0000

The 108 Repetitions painting process has been one of the most challenging paintings I have ever worked on. Each attempt is not just about placing “random marks” or “picking out pretty colors” it’s about being truly in the moment. I chose this practice in my daily life to help me be more aware of my actions and choices. As a result, I have found it’s so easy to fall into old patterns and forget where I started. I believe this is why in my artistic practice I am creating “assignments” that force me to be fully aware! When I am in the studio, all I have to distract me is myself. The studio is the only place I am fully in control. The trick however, is to bring that “control” into my daily life. A life fully lived and fully awake is harder than it appears. Am I alone on with this thought? I am painting the Buddha and I am so in awe of all he has gone through to be enlightened. I am in awe and feel so privileged to be painting him. He is a kind teacher to me. I just need to learn to be kind and patient with myself too. I have attached the 108 Repetitions painting thus far hopefully you like it.

Little Painting Earrings….

Marlene — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:54:45 +0000

Little Painting Earrings!

Marlene — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:33:35 +0000

Well it looks like my mini Marlene White original little earrings paintings will be popular! Thank you to all those who have told me that I should continue with this idea! I have attached some more.

Little Painting Earrings!

Marlene — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 17:03:09 +0000

Thinking about selling some work at Craft Fairs! I am creating some ideas and would love to know what you think about my Little Painting Earrings! They are for sale and would make great gifts! I know that you all would like to own a mini Marlene White original!

108 Repetitions

Marlene — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:45:51 +0000

Here is a peek into some of the 108 Repetitions Paintings I have been working on. Still discovering what and why the act of repeating images over and over is bringing to my practice as an artist and as a human being. However, it has been quite a journey and I look forward to sharing it with you in more detail soon. Hope you like what you see so far!

Spray Can Project!

Marlene — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 16:26:26 +0000

ALL CANS ARE FOR SALE!!!

108 Repetitions

Marlene — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:51:31 +0000

My good friend Manuel brought his work into my studio this week. We spent a few hours together working on our paintings. I have long been a fan of his work! I truly respect him as an artist and as a person. The pictures I have attached to this blog will give you a small look into his process. He painted on the floor of my studio. These particular paintings are seen to me as sculptural landscapes. I was lucky enough to pick three for my birthday. I find his work and process to be deep and very thought out. I have a collection of his work! I invite you to visit his work at http://manuelangeja.com/ and begin your own collection as well!

I will be away from the studio for a few days. I will be in Maryland visiting my partner’s family. Until then do something fun and play!

108 Repetitions

Marlene — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 00:31:51 +0000

It is said that the origin of suffering is attachment. When I think about “attachment” and my process as a painter, I realized that I am constantly practicing non-attachment. I have been asked by many people, ” why would I want to paint over a painting that is beautiful or close to being done”? My response is … why not? My paintings have many layers and each layer underneath the final image is part of a conversation that was not finished. I don’t know any other way to paint. I have always created this way. There have been a few times in my life when I have completed a painting with the first attempt…but that is very rare.
For example today, I began painting a Buddha on top of a beautiful abstract painting that I finished last week. I ended up covering him up with white paint. It would have been a beautiful painting, but something inside my mind and heart told me that I needed to let it go. What the outcome will be is yet to be known. However, after I finished painting over the work that took me about six hours I decided to clean my studio and I am looking forward to spending tomorrow working on some smaller paintings. I need a break from the big canvas. I actually think I am becoming fond of painting on the smaller scale. Funny how things work out. Just thought I share with you my process thus far and thanks for stopping bye to see what I have been up too!

108 Repetitions

Marlene — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 22:38:47 +0000

The painting I am working on in the studio is very much in the beginning stages. I am learning so much about patience. The act of repeating marks and shapes 108 times is much harder than it sounds. What exactly am I painting or trying to do? I don’t know. But the story is unfolding and each step has been visually beautiful. It started out with applying 108 cut out circles of photographs that were transferred onto the canvas. Then I had to rub each individual photo with a sponge until all the paper was gone. Leaving just the transferred image. The act of applying and rubbing took an entire day in the studio! Today I began marking green lines horizontally and vertically in groups of three around the circle photo transfers over and over. After that process was done, I hand painted circles in all deferent shapes and colors. But somewhere in the process all of my work I have described thus far was covered by poetic white brush strokes that blended into a light gray. Now it is almost a white painting with some accents of blue, green, red and yellow. I am excited to see what the next layers may be. Or will the next attempt be the final image? I know there is a deeper meaning to this painting and I am not sure what it is. We have to wait and see! I have attached some images of my process. Enjoy!

108 Repetitions

Marlene — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 23:56:06 +0000

Hello Fans,
I have returned to the studio after a week of rest from a successful Open Studio! My latest idea is to push my 108 Prayer Project a little further. I want to incorporate the photographs from this project into my paintings by transferring the photos onto canvas. There has been a strong internal response to incorporate that acts of meditation into my paintings using repetitive marks, shapes, colors and objects for quite some time now.
Yesterday I jessoed 108, 5X7 cards. I plan on painting each one. Now, I don’t know what the paintings may be of… however I will let the process create the outcome. I am not attached to any set idea. Which is how I paint anyway. I truly believe in the idea of allowing each moment to unfold on its own. A practice I am trying to do in my daily life as well.
I began summer 2010 by celebration with my Yoga teacher and community by repeating the same position 108 times. It was both beautiful and challenging. I felt like I was part of something bigger than I will ever know. The number 108 is considered sacred in many Eastern religions and traditions. However, in Tibetan Buddhism it is believed that there are 108 sins. And in Japan, at the end of the year they ring a bell 108 times to welcome the New Year. Each ring represents 108 earthly temptations a person must overcome to achieve nirvana. I also found out that in mathematics the number 108 is an abundant number and a semi perfect number as well. I also learned that there are 108 pressure points in the body, where consciousness and flesh intersects to give life to the living being.
As you can see I am consumed by the power of the number 108 and I plan on translating that into my painting process. I look forward to sharing my journey and discovering the many ways in which I can be part of this powerful number threw my paintings and my daily actions.I have included some photos of the work in progress in the studio.