3-D
www.kristindesantis.com
kdesantis@earthlink.net
My work is multi-layered aluminum, which is hand-cut, carved and tooled and has a depth of at least 2 inches. The color is achieved with several layers of transparent oil stains and then clear coated to give a glass-likelook. My work is very large and thrives on the light that plays with its surface textures and gives it a luminous three-dimensional illusion. Once the metal surface is prepared, I begin the painting process with multiple layers of transparent oil paints. Letting each layer dry, I often go back in with a series of sanding, rubbing away and building up more layers until I'm satisfied.
The images in my work originate from my memory and imagination and are developed through a series
of sketches. The sketch is transformed into simple lines and transferred to the metal. Design and planning
is critical in this stage so that positive areas will not fall out during the cutting. Although I start with a sketch, I never follow my lines exactly. The torch becomes my "high-tech" pen and the creative instincts take over.
