A new modern piece

This is my latest piece
modern/contemporary piece.
It is a compilation of two 
pieces that were made as
exercises in a Nancy Crow 
class...I took the class twice 
which is why I had two of 
same exercise pieces.  
Here are the two original 
exercise pieces ...

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I struggled with this exercise, as I don't think that I developed interesting shapes and they didn't really tie together as a united piece.  I didn't like either piece in class.  I originally thought it was the color combination of pastels and brights, however, after further thought I believe it was the large unrelated blobs that cause the pieces not to work.  Another class participant came home and cut and re-configured it her piece, which gave me the idea to combine my two pieces into one.  I tried to no go too small with the pieces, so that they remained "shapes" and didn't become lines or bits of color.   I tried to create areas of interest and calm within a united and balanced piece.  I have come to appreciate that the pastels actually work very well to create a secondary ground.  I am much happier with the reconfigured compilation then either of the first two pieces.  It was also a great to practice with on the long arm...as I am continuing to learning to control it.