Organic Co-existence by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Acrylic, collage, cotton thread on canvas.
Size: 30″ × 40″
Where tropical rainforest meets a sandy shoreline, at Flying Fish Point, Queensland.
Initially the work was commenced at a weekend art workshop held at Flying Fish Point, Innisfail and then later the composition was completed in my studio.
Process
- I first observed and chose something of interest in the natural land/seascape and produced sketches which familiarized me with subject matter.
- Then I worked and painted information from a chosen sketch, thinking it to be the first stage only, as in an ‘underpainting’. Well after feedback I left it as my idea of an underpainting with a few minor little collage and tonal enhancements.
- The composition layout idea with the borderline of stitching echoed on from a previous award-winning textile assemblage work I had completed. * At a later date in my studio the flotsam shells, leaves and pods were added, taking about a week to complete the finer translucent and detailed work on the outer.
Note
Feedback about this work: Some people after viewing it ‘in the flesh’ have been confused thinking it may be a pastel work and they often ask me to confirm what is the medium. It is definitely acrylic having used very minimal paint colour pigment worked with various acrylic mediums ie gel, flow and retarder. Very similar principles to watercolour tonal painting only done with acrylic.
When working on canvas with acrylic, the colour thinned down with mediums (and not water) allows for the paint to retain its most strong ‘binding’ (gripping) plastic properties.
Canvas
Comments
Soft , gentle and full of life
Thanks Danita.
Feedback – Would you please help me out here and tell me how this image looks tonally on your computer screen? Not sure if I may have made it a tad too light (esp. for prints)! Had work prof. documented and the dig.photos were processed on a Mac. I only received 8bit Tiff/Jpeg files. I’ve had to colour & tonally correct several of the images on my Windows PC. (Joys of modern technology.) Thanx in advance for any help.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Sure Kerryn, it is light, in very gentle tones .
When viewed large, this softness adds to the image.
It is quite clearly defined.
It is what attracted me , so soft. Lovely
Thankyou Danita for your feedback. It is a soft light work (My concern is/has been just how light – so long as it doesn’t appear too washed out here in its colour).
Another thing about the work is that some people after viewing it ‘in the flesh’ have been confused thinking it may be a pastel work and they often ask me to confirm what is the medium. It is definitely acrylic having used very minimal paint pigment worked with various acrylic mediums ie gel, flow and retarder. Very similar principles to water colour tonal painting only done with acrylic.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
As a beginner, (not art school trained that is) info about the technique is always interesting; you could choose to put that info in the description part above… I love looking at art here, and with info like yours, it is quite inspirational to try new ideas.
Your work is marvellous Kerryn. :-)
I’ve just applied your suggestion, of adding the info to my description here – thanks Danita.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
WOW brilliant tones and colours used here, love this Kerryn!!
Thanks so much for your appreciation of this work Adam.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Hi Kerryn. I’ve picked this one first as I’m interested in still-life and I wanted to check out the technique, design/composition, and lovely impact. It certainly works as a picture. Then I was interested in your ‘computer screen’ concerns, and I’ve just been going through a similar process. If you are interested, have a look at a ‘critique’ of a picture I have at the moment; ‘Does this work for you as a ’picture’?’ I’ve been learning quite a bit from others feedback. Damian.
Hi Damian. Re this work/technique: It was started at a weekend art workshop – Outdoors, I first completed a rough pencil study sketch of a particular ground cover area that interested me. The centre of this painting was then developed indoors from just the initial sketch and my memorable perceptual experiences (no photograph!)
I finally just found the critique page … will go take a look.
(To formulate a link on RB – Click on ‘Show text formatting help:’ found just below these ‘comment/reply’ boxes here – shows how ‘text can be linked’ etc)
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Beautiful tonal work Kerryn. I love the softness of this piece.
Appreciate your comments and the fav. thankyou very much Cathy.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
PS. Re the tones – At the time I used a lot of the chromacryl gel (liquid – egg white consistency) medium and very minimal acrylic colour.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
wonderful collage well done thoughtful work !Liz
Liz thankyou very much and for fav’ing the work too.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Beautiful :)
Thanks so much Lee.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
outstanding work !
Thankyou so much Rosalin.
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Celebration of Natural characters
Beautifully Seen & created
GREAT Work :)
Thanks ever so much Sharon. Your comments are warmly appreciated. 8 )
– Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch