Australiana
A series of larger works, created in 2023 that were
inspired by the world around the Apothecary studio and a genuine awe for the
beauty of Australian native flora and fauna.
These are nature-forward, real life paintings...
Flowers for Joy, 2023 [sold]
Natural pigments made from plants and minerals in hand-made watercolours, tempera and gouache.
with an added embossed area on the vase depiciting a spray of Lillipilli berries. This work has been created using egg tempera (egg, vodka & clove oil) with genuine earth, mineral and plant pigments based on historically accurate, Renaissance art methods. Egg tempera was used by many important artists such as De Vinci however the method was lost when chemical pigments and tubed paint became available. Though it requires decades to master the full technique, I demonstrate that even with the simplest recipe it is possible to capture the inherent beauty of natural pigments and all their gorgeous jewel-like colours. The Dutch gold leaf has been hand-applied using the artisan technique of applying beaten metals to paper.
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A1 | Eco Certified Archival Paper made in Italy
Black Cockatoos, 2023 [sold]
Natural pigments made from plants and minerals in hand-made watercolours and gouache.
Featuring a pair of iconic, (now critically endangered) Australian birds. Inspired by the botanical artworks contained in 'Birds of Australia' by John Gould, 1848, from a time when these birds were found in huge flocks. Paited with all Australian ingredients including genuine earth pigments manganese, vivianite, ochres, and plants such as Eucalyptus and Casuarina (the favourite of the black cockatoo), acacia resin and lemon myrtle. Hand-applied Dutch gold leaf
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A1 | Eco Certified Archival Paper made in Italy
Bush Abundance, 2023 [sold]
Natural pigments made from plants and minerals in hand-made watercolours, tempera and gouache.
This work has been created using egg tempera (egg, vodka & clove oil) with genuine earth, mineral and plant pigments based on historically accurate, Renaissance art methods. Egg tempera was used by many important artists such as De Vinci however the method was lost when chemical pigments and tubed paint became available. Though it requires decades to master the full technique, I demonstrate that even with the simplest recipe it is possible to capture the inherent beauty of natural pigments and all their gorgeous jewel-like colours. The Dutch gold leaf has been hand-applied using the artisan technique of applying beaten metals to paper.
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A1 | Eco Certified Archival Paper made in Italy