MICHAEL VICTOR · MVR RUGGIERO | United States
ABOUT MicroImpressions and PastelsXL-pXLWorks ▪ Art By-Hand with Hard Pastel + PiXeL Paint (#pxPaint) Media
THE MAGIC OF ZOOMING-IN AT 1600% | 16X
PastelsXL Works first “Magnify” sensational hand-drawn patterns of pastel grains that are imperceptible to the naked eye in my original works. Most often they are truly microscopic. Resultant MicroImpressions or pximpressions (pxis), which vary dramatically within and among works, become a fresh, diverse medium for artistic expressions. Secondarily, in whole or parts of work forged by my energetic, Dynamic-Hand, XL Works “Amplify” an expressive immediacy in my strokes authentically to dimensions impossible by my human hand alone.
Most Works Start and Finish w/ HARD Pastels (#HDPastels)
After HD Pastel originals are ‘rasterized’ into pixels by scanning, I edit, refine, interpret and compose pxis by basic pixel-painting in Photoshop (PS). They morph readily. I employ advanced PS tools (digital ‘bells & whistles’) sparingly; more effective and in spirit of original work are final compositional measures, color, and details overlain by-Hand with #HDPastels on archival prints. Selecting a 'Finish' (lustre) among archival papers now is more means to interpret effects. All works below are examples of those with final overlays.
An array of dry media advantageous for ‘mass drawing’ techniques -- as opposed to ‘line’ drawing’ -- create legible base pxImpressions. These include pastels, Conte Crayons, charcoal sticks, and graphite pencils. In fact, black-and-white or grayscale artworks forged with any such media are suitable originals for the ▪XL Process. Color can be added to artworks digitally and later by final hand overlays (described above).
FUSION OF PAINT MEDIA OLD AND NEW
While By-Hand & Digital processes co-exist currently, pXL Works show with undeniable synergy they are able to fuse in concert together. Through such both leap forward -- the strength of each capitalizing on the strength of the other. Works demonstrate that traditional artist skills are adaptable and fully relevant again within a digital, social media world of art here to stay.
Major Advantages of the ▪XL Process
• Incorporates endless supply of fresh hand-drawn impression effects, which are unique to each and every artist.
• Allows precision details at small scale, particularly for inclusion of architectural elements
• Facilitates 1) investigation into alternative compositions & features 2) replication of features that are tedious (or impossible to consider without digital means).
• Makes time efficient, cost-effective use of ground color media, for pastels in particular. Minimizes toxic dust & fumes from fixative sprays.
On Nomenclature
▪XL and pXL are used interchangeably. End results of the ▪XL Process are pXL Works. ‘PastelsXL’ Works are one type of these end works.
Order of works below is from simple to complex ‘Composite ▪XL Works’. All are formatted –cropped and sized -- to optimize viewing of work details for visitors to this Contemporary Art Station web site page.
Playa Mundial de PiXeles · PiXel World Beach NativeLscp Series_40 x 56 in
A River City Lazy Hazy Sun Sunday_36 x 24 in
River City I.T. Campus Lscp - Hard Pastel River of PXLs_32 x 48 in
Castle Central · Central Park_ The Coolest Weather Center On Earth_44 x 36 in
The LANDSCAPE OF 21C LADY LIBERTY Tryptych For The Reds to Yellows, Whites with Blacks, And A Spectrum of Blues_44 x 96in
