Similar shape as with Experiment 2023.1 #10. This one feels like a neon party.

Here is one with an ominous and ghostly feel.

After the previous image Experiment 2023.1 #8 I wanted to mix in more holes.

You might expect the spirals to rush towards, or emanate from, a black hole or point of infinite depth in the center. In fact, that is something I would normally do. Here I have put some dots and holes at that focal point.

This represents the evolution of the universe, the center is the origin. In the distance past the fundamental forces where unified, over time one than another split off and became a separate force. Each time this happened the universe underwent substantial macro changes.

OK, I made that story up after staring at the image trying to figure out how I felt about it. I put the holes and dots in the center just to do something different. Initially it felt out of place. But after the origin of the universe analogy, it felt perfect.

Another "chop and paste" image. Same idea as Experiment 2023.1 #6

I am not in love with either of these. But the series is about experiments, and this one is in the experiment notebook. There are other situations where I especially like chopping up and mixing up things.

Here is a "chop and paste" version. Each "puzzle piece" has a different brightness.

I have three monitors on my computer. Each from a different manufacturer. All mid-range, no bargain basement or super high-end. The image looks different on each monitor. The center monitor, where I do most of my work, is the darkest. Features show up in the black areas on the other monitors.

When I noticed this, I spent way too much time trying to adjust the monitors, trying to get some consistency. No success.

I choose not to waste thoughts, philosophical or practical, on what is the "true" image. Or what it means when you and I are likely seeing different things.

Brightening things up a little bit.

Most of the comments from Experiment 2023.1 #3 apply here as well. So I will not repeat them.

A dash of color is added to the previous image.

The color is independent of the underlying shape. By that I mean there were two distinct steps. First creating the black and white image Experiment 2023.1 #2 and then adding the colors.

The color is added digitally. But you could image putting random colors on a transparency and then laying the transparency over the b/w image.

For most of these I continue with white on black background. Depending on the intensity of the white, the result is either shadowy, dark, ominous (low intensity), or bright, exciting, attention grabbing (high intensity).

This is the first piece in a series of experiments to enhance simple monochrome shapes. The starting points are similar to the items in the previous series Monochrome Minimalism.

Here, and in most of the posts that will follow, I use spray paint effect to add texture to the too-smooth shades in the simple shapes of the previous series.

The spray paint variant was not the list of experiments described in Monochrome Minimalism #2. But it is an easy, gentle way to get started messing thing up.

I explored some similar ideas previously. Take a look at Monochrome (2020), monochrome patterns, mostly dots. And Colors I Hate (2021), one or two colors on mostly simple shapes.

A few more, pictures with no words.

I had intended the previous two posts to be a quick introduction to a series with explores one way to alter the simple monochrome shapes. I figured they were too boring for a dedicated series. Generally, I prefer chaotic and messy.

However as I was selecting the images for the introduction I found the simple patterns to be soothing and introspective. They do deserve a separate series.

So I am going to post a few more before moving on. Many others have been put on the shelf for now. I will pull them out from time to time and continue this series between other inspirations.

I have been trying to do things "all at once". I rush to add the little tweaks and features that are the basis of an inspiration. But then the finished item seems unplanned. For example, I may wish I had started with a better background. But the energy is not there to start over.

Recently I have been playing with black and white shapes. Not intended as finished products, but rather as an ingredients in a more complex composition. The hope is that the minimal monochrome forms will become solid starting points.

That are many ways to proceed from here. They are options for a background. Color can be added. They could be replicated at different scales and become a theme. The smooth surfaces could be distressed with rough edges, cracks and tears. Two or three could be combined to generate conflict.

It has been four months since my last post. Yes, other things have kept me busy. But that is not a good explanation. I have spent a lot of time trying to create pieces for this blog. I am trying to create something unique and special. This is not that. It is just that I am worried that if I let the blog sit idle much longer, I will never get back to it. So here is something to generate some momentum.