Category: Abstract Art

“Helter Skelter”

Helter-Skelter.web

“Helter Skelter” – Acrylic and ink on paper, 50cm. x 70cm.

The title came from the sixties White Album, but the image was inspired by a recent Paul Macartney concert.

Could I be going around in circles on this hectic fairground slide?  Where the satisfaction of conquering one challenge of Parkinson’s disease, is soured by frustration.  Knowing that I am riding the slippery spiral,  Helter skeltering towards many more challenges.

To quote the words from – Lennon / Macartney.

When I get to the bottom I go back to the top of the slide

Where I stop and I turn and I go for a ride

Till I get to the bottom and I see you again.

 

Patterns of Place.

Understory, 1.
Patterns of Place, 1.
Dappled Sunlight.

It has been a little while since my last post, nevertheless I have not been unproductive. These images, completed a few months ago are a way of progressing from the landscapes in my last posts.  I am lured back to abstraction in my search  to translate emotion, and a sence of place, into the visual.

In their own way each image has some degree of sucess.

‘Patterns of Place, 1″.  Is an attemt to simplify  the landscape into blocks of colour. Constantly changing with the varying  light  it  is difficult to contain the changing colours within a single image.

“Dappled Sunlight” I want to catch the the colours of sunlight on Tallow-wood and the green of new growth amongst darker shadows.

“Understory, 1”. The brightest of days often cast the darker shadows.  In apprehension I am drawn toward the tangled undergrowth. What is hidden within, what lies beyond, should I dare crossthat line?

Although these works are the result of both ‘en plien air‘ and studio sketches, ultimately the drawings serve only as a reminder of an experience, and the final images merely a fleeting memory, or impression of a moment in time.

 

 

“The Unformed Road”

The Unformed Road.

“The Unformed Road”  Acrylic and ink on paper, 50cm. x  70cm.

I have given this painting the title “The Unformed Road”, because that’s how it is described on the topographical map of the location. It has now become bordered on all sides by private properties, a landlocked strip of wilderness. This particular spot adjoins our back garden, and is a favourite shady place for kangaroos to rest in the afternoons. I have been attracted to paint here; to me it is a mysterious, wild place where nature is reclaiming what humankind once tried to fence off and control. I am reminded of Kipling’s poem, “The Way Through the Woods”. Typical English wildlife and ghosts from the past inhabit Kipling’s lost road, whereas Bandicoots, Kangaroos, raucous Kookaburras, quarrelsome Lorikeets, musical Butcherbirds, make this a magical space to me. The surrounding area shows mostly evidence of modern settlement. It has been claimed, occupied, fenced, farmed and built upon, but traditionally it is Yaegl land so I am sensitive to this fact and respectful when walking over this ground.

“Over the Fence – 2”

Over the Fence-2

“Over the Fence – 2”. Acrylic on 300.gsm. paper, 50cm. x  70cm.

I have been asked what is it that brings me back to a more representational style. In other words, why am I painting these new landscapes?  Am I reflecting back to the woodlands of my youth?  The answer is that I do not know, nor should I be too concerned. I think that to be too analytical may lead me toward fabricating an untruth.

To me “Over the Fence” is much the same as my recent abstract landscapes. When I look back on them they seem have an element of the unknown in nature. It may be that I am responding to a fear of the unknown, There may also be a supersticious or spiritual concern in my work. Nevertheless to think too much about the reason why when I am painting would lead me nowhere.  No matter what the subject, there is much intuition in my work.

 

 

“Over the Fence”

Study for Over the Fence..jpg

“Over the Fence”, acrylic on 300.gsm. paper, 50cm. x  70cm. A break from Abstraction with a return to Landscape.  Many “en plein air’ studies eventually led to this painting. It is a subject that I have been returning to unsuccessfully until now.  I had always looked at the wider picture, when all along my only intent was to express the sensation of entangled undergrowth. What lies beyond remains a mystery.

“Primitive Landscape, 3”

Primitive Landscape 3

“Primitive Landscape, 3”. Acrylic on 300gsm. paper, 50cm. x  70cm.

After a few days spent away from the studio followed by hours of procrastinion, I finally decided to quit thinking and get back to work. It was a good decision. Familiar symbols appeared during the painting process, some were left to contribute to the final image, whilst others were subtracted. It is difficult to hold back; to allow the painting take its own course and not overthink or overwork it.