Composition

Reading about classical composition amazes me how much the principals transcend the disciplines. All the fundamental premises used in composition in the visual arts are also elements in music and both of these are rooted in mathematics- or mathematics are rooted in music or visual composition. Titan for example used ' the strength, balance, and unity of circles. squares, diagonals, triangles and harmonic rations.' (Aristides, pg. 41) Degas said, " Even in front of nature one must compose." (from Shop Talk of Edgar Degas by R.H. Ives Gammell).

And yet while composing a piece there comes a deeper urge, a desire to see into a situation and capture its distinct rhythm, music, math. There is a point at which all the knowledge I have gained must be transcended and a new force takes over. It comes from having practiced and looked and meditated on what is beauty in my eye. It becomes more than understanding. when it is just the mind there is a stiffness, a formula feeling.

When painting a Japanese Gold leaf screens this becomes most obvious. In Asian art, compositional elements are different and are used to engender a very alternate reaction. The Asian artist wants the viewer to enter the world of the picture. Elements of the painting will enter the picture rather than be placed completely in it. In determining where to put the objects of the story therefore, becomes an invitation. When composing I turn to music. The melody line of a song can help place key movement. Think about what a melody does. It is not the evenly placed notes of a piece.

More and more as I paint composition becomes the root, the strong or weak foundation of a work. It is also the element which can emotionally entice another. Color does help, do not get me wrong, but composition is suggestive and seductive. It is the unexplained energy if done right creates synergy.