Spiky Pandanus

This pandanus on Big Burleigh presented a challenge: spiky foliage, shaggy detritus, and warm light reflected into the shadows, all under a brilliant summer sky, full of dazzle and energy. I was drawn to it immediately! I love how they seem to walk across the land on many legs — I’m sure if you sped up that motion you’d see them heading for a swim in the warm sea.

About the surface and panel: Works on panel are more durable and long lasting than works on canvas — many made in the Middle Ages and Renaissance are still admired today. This is a hand-crafted panel made of water resistant marine ply, often used for making boats, cradled (braced) with oak, and sealed on all sides with acrylic varnish. Italian Fabriano watercolour paper is mounted to the panel using acrylic gel to provide an archival surface protected from the wood, and coated with acrylic gesso before painting. The watercolour paper provides a unique subtle texture, and when mounted to the panel provides a resilient surface perfect for aggressive painting techniques that might damage canvas.

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• Our world’s shapes, colours and textures have a deep personal resonance and I aim to share that sense of wonder. I’ll always keep experimenting, learning, and making sense of the world through my personal art, and I’m excited to showcase and offer some of the pieces here in the hope you’ll enjoy them too.

• I work predominantly in acrylic and sympathetic water media. My acrylic works on watercolour paper mounted to my own handcrafted braced panels do not need to be mounted under glass, and can be cared for like any other varnished acrylic painting. All my works are completed with artist quality archival materials and media, and crafted with care and attention to longevity.

• If you are interested in a piece and have further questions, or are just curious about how I created it, feel free to drop me a question here in Bluethumb. Be sure to check out all my paintings, even the sold ones that I’m also very proud of, by clicking on the links above.