Acrylic on canvas
Signed certificate of authenticity.
The story behind this painting comes from the connection of land and water, the excitement of a city environment that is surrounded by nature and the sea. The black ladder signifies the link between. As humans we must be connected to something bigger than ourselves. The ocean surrounds the city embracing it like a big hug, but also showing its might and power in what lies beneath it. Life below the ocean can be magical, mysterious, unique, fresh and bewildering, just as that above the ocean can be. But it is the link between that make it so special.
This painting focuses on capturing the excitement of both environments, focusing on that holiday feel, the happiness, the joy, the intrigue of wanting to be close to the ocean.
The painting process is somewhat different in its finished look, after the work was painted, l decided l wanted a more rugged, wash out, peeled back look, such as what the ocean does to paint on a near by house or weathered timber boat. So l etched back the paint so it looked like a vintage or shabby chic look. I opted for this look because l love the way it looked on other paintings l have done (its just amazingly different- those who have bought my paintings done like this have just loved this look upon receipt).
I also wanted this work to have a mild roughness of the sea weathering look about it. When that was complete, l than added the detailed circle work. The dots represent the ever changing environment, its fragility, fleetingness, not to mention a uniqueness to the finished overall look of the work. Think of it like a swift breeze that blows and takes particles with it as it gently sweeps across the land and water.
The mere size of this work is striking, and will lift any room with brightness and happiness. It will be posted upstretched in a postal tube, this is because couriers l have used have shown such a disrespect for expensive artwork in their delivery over the past 6 months. (Delivering a painting in an open air truck in the poring rain, as just one example). I have taken $300 off the price of the painting to allow for stretching at a framers close by to your house.
Karen is professionally trained with a double degree in Fine Art and Visual Culture from Curtin university and has over 25 years painting experience, she only uses professional paint and canvas.