In January 2022, I began to make paintings using a technique called “decalcomania”. This involves compressing paint between a matte polyester film (Dura-lar) and a sheet of glass. The shapes produced are somewhat random and uncontrolled. Due to fluid mechanics and surface tension properties, the paint develops “viscous fingering” resembling tributary branching systems. The images often appear to contain trees, caves, rocks, and other organic shapes. The technique was used in the 18th century, but more recently was used by Surrealists Max Ernst, Oscar Dominguez, and Andre Breton. I made about 250 of these pieces….Here are some examples:
