Title “Greener” (Acrylic) 90x90c
ABOUT THIS PAINTING
This painting deals with our environment. The title “Greener” is self explanatory – we need to be vigilant in preserving trees, forests and jungles on this planet for our continued existence. We need to keep the environment balanced and healthy. Controversial subjects like the environment can often be construed as being political. This is not the case here. In Australia there is a political party called the Greens – this painting does not have any affiliation with a political party. I do not have a political nature but rather my concern for environmental issues stems from observation and common sense. If humans continue to indiscriminately destroy the Earth for self interest and profit then a fitting analogy is a cancer which finally destroys the body that hosts it.
Artistic techniques used in the painting
The conservation of nature is a subject well suited to be painted in an abstract way. This week I will review an abstract approach and next week I will post a more realistic painting along a similar theme. You then can judge for yourself which is the most effective in conveying the message.
The reason I like abstract painting is that this modern world is bombarded with visual images, and in many cases the image has been tampered with to the point that its validity is no longer true i.e. changing, enhancing or distorting through digital processes. Therefore I depict this abstract subject in a subjective way so that at an emotional gut level the content “feels true”. I am interested in conveying the abstract concepts to the viewer rather than painting a pretty picture that a camera can capture.
The composition of this painting depicts elements on a flat plane. There is no perspective. This is a defining feature in many of my paintings. Flat planes of colour are also evident in Abstract Expressionism. This engages the viewers interest, encourages them to explore the artwork further. The flat plane (instead of perspective) in this painting suggests continuity and a sense of trust in the cycles of nature and of natural law.
In my opinion a painting should be able to be turned upside down and still look balanced. As a painting is evolving it is also good to view it in a mirror which reflects any imbalance
Colour in this painting is expressive and is unmistakably tied to the subject being addressed. There is mid-high tonal value, which means that there is little contrast giving an overall mid-tone. Greens are often considered difficult to use. I have used analogous colours in the overall painting – meaning that the colours used are close to each other on the colour wheel – a limited range of blues and greens.
Do you, the viewer, see the painting in a different way now? Does it make you think about the subject
Remember next week, a similar subject will be posted but it will be presented in a different more representational way.
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