Note: this document is being published to the Net as it is being composed. It is intended that additions and edits will be made before the finialization of the project. Excerpts from the correspondence regading the collaborative project will be noted in itallics. Dasha or Michael

" I consider Dasha Balashova to be one of the most talented and
sensitive artists of the young russian generation "
                                                                                            -Paulo Coelho

DASHA

Collaborative Print Project: From Moscow to Saint Louis and Back.

The idea for this print making project came about through my interest to work collaboratively with other artists. In preparation to receive and exhibit Dasha's artwork, for the last year Dasha and I have maintained a correspondence by Email that has allowed us to share ideas about art.

 

I am so thankful for such a breathtaking chance for collaboration ! No matter the distance i see a great potential !

Here is also a first reflection of my instant thoughts regarding the theme of the show - but I feel like it might be devoted to the theme of the spiritual life - its way, development ( I thought that the paintings I’ve already sent You - Metamorphosis , Doors to unknown , run though eternity , etc. are also the thoughts about this subject).

 

Through our correspondence Dasha became aware of my use of the computer and digital imaging in my art projects. Her curiosity of the technology and ease with which we began to communicate about ideas has lead to a natural progression to this collaborative effort. We decided that as part of the exhibit that we were planning, that we could use technology to work together long distance and create a series of mixed media computer prints. The idea began to develop as a continuation of Dasha's interest in the spiritual state of transformation and metamorphosis. We decided that through the process of collaboration and digital technology we would take the ideas, symbols and iconography from Dasha's original works and use those as building blocks to create or transform the work into something new. The finished images are to be composed of a digital prints over which Dasha will hand draw and paint to finalize the composition. Through Email, we have exchanged written word, drawings, and photography to engage in a working process through which the pieces of the images are built.

I will begin to send you some ideas for the print making projects I have in mind. I think you have a fairly good grasp of what we can do together. First you should have in your mind that I am here to help you. I will make my suggestions and you should respond to them in an unfettered manner.

I think that everything that happens is a mentioned part of the big picture , and sometimes , looking back i realize that everything was connected beforehand and turned into reality .

I will take for my first example from a detail from one of your paintings. I think you may remember that I focused on this detail when I took photographs of the frame making process. This is I think an example of where a more minimal approach....focusing on one detail...can still present a strong compostion. Here I have taken the figurative study and placed the entire focus on that....I reduced the elements in the original composition by blending and painting into the background. The next step would be to make an enlarge full color print of this composition. The prints would be made on cotton paper. This is suitable for drawing and painting on. You could then hand embellish the prints with Charcoal...Pastel, Acrylic....or even oil paint. The details by hand make the print uniquely touched by the artist, and allow the artist to bring the print to life by touching in and highlighting the important detail. A swath of charcoal on the area to be shadow, makes the pigment on the surface strong and vivid and alive. This would create a new unique mixed media print. I think this idea would be an interesting element of the complete exhibition.....if you can imagine the viewer taking in the details of the original paintings....and then to become confronted with some of the details blown up in their face.

I should say that i am very inspired to have a chance to work with the cotton paper as somehow , it always attracted me but i never worked enough with it . But I am really very glad now and it looks like an open
field to discover .

most of my works are based on the theme of inner spiritual movements and states , the prints on details may also be a little mevement themselves .( movement of size , color and conditions from the original ) .

I am very excited and looking forward to see the first examples of the under-prints - as i may imagine it will be already a new-looking intrepretation of my work , and still sort of the white sheet of paper to start the final enrichment and creative decision of the idea . I very appreciate , Michael , that You use such a detailed and serious method of approach to the prints , and such a professional technology . I really can't wait to see and contuine working on the ones that you will send me . I just thought how amazing is that i will be working on the prints based on my works but in the new original shape created by the magic hand of the artist from the other side of the world !