I’ve just returned from another six weeks in New Zealand (which we now consider our second home). While there, I did a handful of landscapes in oil, inspired by the amazing scenery of Central Otago (South Island). Here’s one:
Over the Idaburn oil on canvas 18 x 24 $950
However, my husband Frank had brought along a toolbox of fluid acrylics in luscious colours and a stack of cardstock offcuts. Watching him play, I became intrigued with the possibilities. In particular, I became interested in the potential for applying all the design elements that I have internalized for my representational work, to non-representational works. Eventually I became interested enough to start playing…
By the end of the month, I’d created twenty pieces, some small, some large. These explore the juxtaposition of a series of contrasts: shapes vs lines, geometric vs organic, transparent vs opaque, and analogous vs complementary colours. It was so much fun that my explorations are continuing. I’m sure I’ll always paint realistically, but generating these abstracts is pure fun, engaging and extending my intellect as well as my physical painting skills. And maybe they’ll be appealing to a whole different audience!
I’ll be launching this new line of work at our Landing Artists’ Spring Landing show at the Gibsons’ Public Market on the May long weekend (Friday May 17-Sunday May 19). Come tell me what you think!
Flight of the Magpie acrylic on canvas on panel 23 x 19.5 $450
No Use Crying Over It acrylic on canvas on panel 19.5 x 19.5 $400
Ready for the Blues acrylic on canvas on panel 19.5 x 19.5 $400
Crying the Blues (sample) acrylic on mountboard 8 x 8 (can be printed any size @ $1 per square inch)