Artistic Explorations: Commission Ythan Estuary

It's been 6 months since I wrote my article Artistic Explorations: Relief which was about how I prepared for a painting that was commissioned by friends. Because of the house renovation that lasted for 5 months (we have just moved our furniture back in), it was sometimes quite difficult to focus my attention onto my artwork. But finally I've finished the painting, it was displayed during NEOS and now it's delivered to a very happy customer! It's been a long but very rewarding process and I wanted to share it with you here.

The brief: 
The subject would be Ythan Estuary because the customer lives across this magnificent nature reserve. I also knew where it would be hung so I had an idea of the size. As they had seen my work last year I had an idea of what style they liked. Texture was definitely something that had to be included in the final work.

The concept:
To get an idea of how I could make a representation of Ythan Estuary, I took my camera and tried to tune in the environment, feel the atmosphere and really SEE what was going on. Back home I created a file in Photoshop with a selection of images that would the dynamics of this area.

Photographs Ythan Estuary ©Fenfolio2012

Study in 3D
To get a feel of textures and shapes found at the estuary, I selected 4 images and replicated these in a relief by using plaster filler, pallet knife, shapers and gesso on MDF. 

Tide & Dune Relief ©Fenfolio2012

The sketch

Sketch in watersoluble pencils ©Fenfolio2012

The painting
Materials used: Indian paper, golden paper, Golden light molding paste, sand from the estuary, shapers, pallet knife, acrylics, 3 canvas panels each 61 x 46 cm. Total size of painting including frame: 195 x 54 cm.

The first layers ©Fenfolio2012

 

Dune Formation detail with paint and sand ©Fenfolio2012

Dune Formation triptych painting ©Fenfolio2012

Artistic Explorations: Layers & Lines (2)

Recently I was approached by a community project coordinator who asked me whether I would be interested in sharing my creative skills  for a new project called Youth Industries, specifically aimed at youngsters between 16 and 20. It didn't take me long to say yes to this new challenge! Although I don't have any experience in leading groups, I do think I can give them creative inspiration and that's what it is all about.
Soon I hope to hear who would be interested in abstract photography and (mixed media) art so I can start organising the sessions. I hope the group will be as excited as I am!

With all of this in mind, I made a beautiful walk along the partially frozen river Dee yesterday and brought along my little compact camera just in case I saw something that I could use for my own artwork and for this project. Well, it was hard to miss the beautiful ice shapes on the river bank. After some tweeks in Photoshop and Lightroom, this is the final result.

Ice shapes ©Fenfolio2012

Artistic Explorations: Layers & Lines (1)

The festive season already seems like a long time ago and life has returned to normal (well, almost). Last week finally saw a great weather spell so I took the opportunity to have a walk, get my head around a new painting friends commissioned me to do and take photos. The fresh air would also help to banish the last remnants of the severe cold I had for several weeks.

My friends live across the Ythan Estuary in Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, a stunning part of the Forvie National Nature Reserve. As I'm fascinated by layers, lines and textures I wanted to create a portfolio of images that would show how tide and wind continuously influence the formation of the dune landscape. I'm very happy with the pictures below because they give me the right inspiration on how to tackle this project. Now it's just a matter of completing the very big painting for my husband I started last week! So many ideas and not enough time, sigh.....

Dune shapes ©Fenfolio2012

Artistic Explorations: Mixed Media (2)

In preparation for the Fabric of the Land exhibition, that is themed "The Elements", I created two new paintings.

Geoflow consists of 6 panels, each 40 x 15 cm in size. Each panel represents a natural element whereby I combined the Western (fire, earth, water and air) and Eastern philosophy (Wu Xing; wood, metal, fire, water and earth).

Geoflow © Fenfolio 2011

Canvas panel representing Air ©Fenfolio2011

Canvas panel representing Fire ©Fenfolio2011

Canvas panel representing Earth ©Fenfolio2011

Canvas panel representing Metal ©Fenfolio2011

Canvas panel representing Water ©Fenfolio2011

Canvas panel representing Wood ©Fenfolio2011

Together the panels form a cycle of energy and our planet. I've also applied the elements in each painting by using a lot of texture such as sand from Yell in Shetland  and black lava for Earth, metal foil and embossed cling film for Metal, tissue paper for Air, moulding paste in Wood and Earth and gel medium in Fire and Water. The panels are glued on MDF board measuring 95 x 122 cm. A complete concept description can be viewed via this link Geoflow concept.

For my second painting Rock formation I used rocks (slate, schist, serpentine from Shetland), moulding paste and collage of  a printed photograph that was first treated with inkAid; a coating to fix the ink from the printer onto the paper. I used a free stock image of rock texture. The painting is made on a MDF panel, 45 x 45 cm, and then glued on another MDF panel which is painted white to act as a frame.

Rock Formation © Fenfolio 2011

Close-up of Rock Formation ©Fenfolio2011

Unfortunately my work hasn't been selected for the exhibition, but it will be shown at my stall during North East Open Studios.