Saint Helices 53, 24" x 18", acrylic on canvas, 1993. Private collection.

In this version I am concerned with creating a visual counter-balance to the innate diagonal bias of the standard Saint Helices design. The linear pattern I have chosen is set at a generally perpendicular angle to the elements of the standard composition. The ellipses "reflect" a gilded "space" and a blue-violet "orb/earth" with a rose-colored diamond shape traversing the two areas. There is also a sequence of squares which are bisected in hues of pale red and green in the lower central area of the composition which relate to the structure of the linear design.

I used a particularly aggressive variety of masking tape to mask out the linear design system for this composition. While removing the masking tape after it had served it purpose, the aggressiveness of the adhesive of the tape caused sections of the paper to tear off of the surface along with the tape. At first I thought that the painting was ruined. After some deliberation I decided to integrate the torn areas into the composition by featuring them as uncharacteristically colored (yellow and orange) passages of the initial composition. These previously disastrous areas of the composition now provide one of the most successful elements of the painting.