UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #43

“Buderim Forest”

(Synthetic Polymer)  

90x90cm 

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This painting evolved out of the videoing of a short documentary on my art. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQ2MzRmoKBA  .

Much of my art addresses abstract subjects like the destruction of the natural environment in this century. In this painting I demonstrate the creative process of abstracting my work.

The area of the rainforest I was painting was the inner core of Buderim Forest where last year stood a dense natural forest of palms.  It is no longer there because not long after this painting was finished, this area was burnt by vandals.  At present it is a barren space in the heart of Buderim Forest.  It will regenerate but it will take time.

This painting alludes to the life force that mysteriously speaks of the hidden secrets of the natural world - things that should be treasured, nurtured and preserved but are presently in danger of being destroyed.  

 

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

As you can see from the video, I started the painting by pouring paint onto the canvas.  I was demonstrating just how random the beginning of a painting can be.  I used a restricted pallet of colours.  I selected them to appeal to the feeling of wellbeing which a rainforest exudes. 

I used house paints because I was flagrantly demonstrating not to be too precious about art making.  The selection of colours was Hot Pink, Purple, Warm Yellow, Cerulean Blue and Lime Green.  I do not usually use house paints but will do so on occasion to stimulate my creativity.  It is well known that many major Australian artists have also used house paint and enamel paints in their paintings... Sidney Nolan and Ian Fairweather, to name a couple.   

I used a roller to apply the paint.  Also I spread paper over the wet paint and randomly stamped the imprint back onto the canvas.  I also allowed the paint to run. You can see where the lines appeared that magiced a third dimension out of the two dimensional canvas.  Gradually trees appeared on the flat surface. 

My intention in doing this was to show how this random application of paint generates excitement and stimulates the creative process.  Those who have been following my blog posts know that this is not the way I usually work.  In this painting I used this approach to demonstrate for the video, the way creative order can evolve out of random chaos. 

Vertical lines dominate the painting.  They speak of the vertical thrust of the tall tropical rainforest trees.  I wanted to portray a feeling of being enveloped and nurtured by nature - a feeling that one feels when walking through Buderim Forest. 

Although green is the dominant colour in any forest, Buderim Forest it is not a cold harsh environment, but rather gentle and embracing, therefore I worked warm colours into the composition to capture peace and tranquility.

The creative process when in full flow, takes on a life of its own, and this painting was no exception.  The flat planes of colour which are my signature style, took on a more fragmented appearance due to the dappled light breaking through the trees.

The painting speaks of the serenity and tranquillity of the rainforest and the interdependence of everything that lives there.  This is true for us humans also, because we too are dependent on the Earth for our existence

.http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #31

“Its about Oil…its about Water” 

(Mixed media and bitumen on ply board)  

Size:  90x90cm

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

Many of my paintings are conceptual which means that they are about ideas and not just decorative works.  I did this painting in response to the degradation of our environment by multinational companies and some governments that indiscriminately and blatantly plunder our Earth’s resources.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

The painting is almost monochromatic in that the blues blend from one to the other. 

The square support is ply board which has been primed with gap-filler to achieve the textured surface.  The collage in the centre re-states and  emphasizes the square shape of the painting.  I dribbled bitumen onto plastic and when dry then removed the plastic.  The dry bitumen shape was then adhered to the collage to represent oil. 

The dribble in the upper border is the only part where Orange (the complimentary opposite to Blue) is used to subtly draw attention to it. 

In this painting, less says more.  What do you think?  Does it achieve its aim?

The beauty of our environment is being allowed to slip away.  Beauty is nourishment for the soul.  This degradation of our environment has been demonstrated this week at a local level.  The beautiful natural forest in the centre of Buderim Village that I wrote about in posts #21/22/23 was destroyed this week - cut down by the Sunshine Coast Regional Council. 

 

In its place will be a steel and timber viewing platform overlooking the back of a shopping centre.  My paintings are often about the environment... it is my way of saying that we have to be aware of what we are losing before it’s too late.  

http://www.buderimartstudio.com 

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #22

“Passion”   (Acrylic) -  90x120cm  

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

This painting is purely abstract.  The colour red predominates in this painting. Red is rich in symbolic meaning and imbues us with energy.  The title “Passion is derived from the psycho-physiological effects that the colour red has on human beings throughout the world.  Red is considered to be associated with “passion”.  The four basic emotions of human beings are love, anger, sadness and fear.  Passion would be associated with both “love” or “anger”.  Being an art therapist, I would remind you, the reader, that one cannot presume to know which of these two emotions is represented in this painting.  The viewer often projects aspects of themselves onto a painting, so I would suggest that instead of “reading” an emotion into this painting; just see it for what it is – “Passion”.

In this painting, the intense colour was derived from the under painting and also a variety of different types of reds.  Therefore it is a unique red.  Unfortunately the internet does not portray the colours of my paintings accurately.  I spend considerable time mixing my colours, and harmonizing or contrasting my palette.  This subtlety is lost by digital reproduction through photography and the internet.

One of my passions is nature.  

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

My relationship with colour is very strong.  The mixing of the pigments is very relaxing and it is recognized by science that certain colours affect mood.   Oft times I will plan my palette before beginning a painting.  I tend to allow the paint to stimulate my imagination. 

Subjects 1, 2 and 3 show that I started off with water crayons and then progressed from there into acrylics.  None of the water crayons remained visible in the finished work.  It’s a little like going on an adventure of discovery.  Discovery of what I will learn from the painting process from both an objective and subject view point.  The objective being about how I can create an aesthetically pleasing and technically correct effect with the paint.  Subjectively, what I discover about myself in the process.

Borders have been a recurring feature in some of my paintings and this one is no exception.  Texture in most of my paintings is to a minimum.  This is achieved through the use of a roller.  The composition is balanced by both sides having inferences of form which draws the eye to the predominating red space in the centre and the yellow/green coloured border above.  The painting has no movement – it is static.  Red suggests energy however in this painting the overall effect suggests harmony and calmness.

UNDERSTANDING ABSTRACT ART #17

Title “Heartland – My Buderim Backyard” (Acrylic) 90x90cm

ABOUT THIS PAINTING:

My inspiration for this painting comes from my backyard in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast of Australia. Buderim is situated on an old volcano and noted for its natural rainforest beauty. Many of my paintings are inspired from the natural beauty surrounding Buderim. Nature is my friend. It concerns me that much of the beauty of Buderim is under threat because many of the senior trees in this area that have historical significance are non-indigenous. The original indigenous trees of this mountain were the Australian Red Cedar that was wiped out a centaury ago by the timber industry. The early pioneers replanted the area with non-indigenous trees such as the Poinciana, Fig, Camphor Laurel and Slash Pine. Many of these trees have historical significance. However because they are non-indigenous and are not politically correct, the regional council is proposing to remove these trees off Buderim Mountain. This would be a great loss that would change this beautiful area for ever. .

The name of this painting is derived from the heart shaped leaf of the Monstera Delicio (non-indigenous) plant. Buderim is my backyard. Keep Buderim beautiful.

Artistic techniques used in the painting:

Like “Greener” (last week’s post) conservation of nature is the subject. It is well suited to the colour green, which is the dominant colour in both paintings. This painting however is more realistic.

I started this painting by pouring paint onto the blank canvas to break up the white surface. This “breaks the ice” for the painting process. You can see some of that initial application still with the organic growth in the background. I have retained a degree of flatness but have achieved the sense of depth, not by perspective, but by putting darks against lights. This is what gives the painting its representational characteristics. In “Greener” (last week’s post) the painting surface did not have depth and I used analogous colours. Here I use complimentary colours. Complimentary colours are opposite each other on the colour wheel. Both paintings are well balanced and are set in a square.

You can see that I have used different techniques in these two paintings to convey similar meaning. Which of the two paintings do you think expresses the message best? Are you beginning to better understand of abstract art? Can you enjoy and appreciate abstract art more?