Dissolution

I had a range of darker paint blends I was wishing to use, the goal to mix them with some brighter colours. The taupe I had felt like a good option as the base colour, a central black strip going through the canvas, before then swiping warmer and bolder colours both up & down the landscape viewed canvas.

The unexpected challenge of the piece was the way the taupe paint broke through colours swiped across it, as well as how much the central black paint swallowed those same colours. As much as as I was liking what was unfolding across the upper & lower sections, the centre was a disappointment. Dish liquid is an interesting liquid when used on acrylic paint, dispersing, in this case the surface black, to expose the cobalt blue, yellow, vibrant green & even brilliant red.

The end result is of a wall dissolving, its copper surface, still shimmering, yet breaking up as the other colours float through it, wrenched finally into some receding void where the true dissolution of form occurs.

This was a second piece I was doing at the time of an exhibition focused on mental health. Whilst the other piece offered hope, this perhaps is the reverse. Stepping too close to the chasm, staring into its maw for too long, may dissolve whatever hold on a more meaningful reality remains.

And flip this one 180 from what you see now & you just might see that maw staring back at you, a dull yellow glow of hunger in its eyes.

MATERIALS
This painting is an original one-of-a-kind artwork, on a thin edged, back stapled, stretched canvas.

Artist grade acrylics are used, with the painting continuing down the sides of the canvas eliminating the need to frame. The artwork has been finished with 3 layers of professional grade archival gloss varnish for extra protection (including UV protection), colour enhancement and a smooth finish.

The artwork is signed on the back of the canvas & initialled on the side of the canvas at one corner. A certificate of authenticity is provided.

HANGING
Which way is up? Which way down? Landscape or portrait?

With this painting, I feel landscape is the more natural option, but because of the abstract nature of this artwork, I prefer to leave that decision to you. How I have presented it in the above photos is based upon my own preference, but for you it may vary depending on the space it is being placed in.

The painting will come with D eyelets & wire, or sawtooth hanger & screws.
I can attach them for you if you know which way you would like it to hang, or provide them for you to attach once you decide which hanging direction you prefer. You choose.

IN SITU PHOTOS
‘In situ’ photos used are from within my own living space, so each picture is to scale with its surrounding items.

PACKAGING & DELIVERY
The artwork will be packaged & sent within 3 business days. It will be carefully double-wrapped in bubble wrap & boxed in sturdy cardboard. Packaging & delivery within Australia are included in the artwork price.

If you choose Bluethumb’s framing option please allow additional time for delivery.

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Derek is a Hobart based artist. Self taught.

Born in rural Western Australia, I grew up mostly in rural South Australia, with three family ventures to England for a dash of variety. My own restlessness as an adult prompted several moves around both Australia & England, as well as working in fields as diverse as retail, disability services, voluntary sector services, hospitality, furniture removals & energy healing. Throughout all these ventures & adventures, both writing & art remained a keen interest. A briefer than intended move to New Zealand to complete the final phase of writing my first novel, became an extended visit to Singapore & another return to Australia.
With my second return to Hobart, my interest in art quietly overtook my focus on writing, with my discovery and exploration of fluid art quickly dominating my pieces. There is an excitement in creating an artwork that you cannot control, where the result is part inspiration, part preparatory effort & intention, & finally submission to a process of mildly predictable chaos. The intended outcome may be broadly achieved, but the finer details of each piece are always unique & often surprising. The very fluidity of each colour flowing, blending, reacting as they are blown, tilted or spread over the canvas, creates an organic unfolding of myriad details that mesmerise as you explore the final piece.
And what I find most exciting about each piece, especially the purely abstract ones, is the almost endless variety of responses from those that view them. Do you see a wave? A flower? A cloud? A galaxy? Each artwork presents an opportunity for the observer to explore their own imagination as they get lost in the details.
I have found myself repeating certain styles that speak to me, my 'Ripple' series being one, but the process of stumbling along, exploring, learning & refining my expression of a largely unpredictable painting technique makes my heart sing, for want of a better term. It is a wonderful therapy & an even more wonderful gift to be sharing with those that derive pleasure from the finished works.