Resist Painting

‘Resist painting’ is a technique that I developed over the years and is only coming into it’s own now. It involves creating an image from negative space, then using latex barriers to help me literally scrape the image away from the support. The most difficult part Is making the image look semi-dimensional when color is introduced while retaining the “wood block” look the scraping creates.

That problem was partially solved with the assistance of a very talented friend of mine, Jason Allen. With his guidance, I began experimenting with industrial polymers, resins, and chemicals that are not supposed to be used in this manner. While I was at it, it occurred to me that since I was breaking the rules anyway, why not go one step further. I switched from using opaque paint as it is supposed to be used to using it in the same manner one uses transparent paint.

These pictures are the results of those discoveries I conducted in my studio during the wee hours of the morning. I sincerely hope that you enjoy the results of my little ‘invention.’