ARCHIPELAGO

Mixed Media Abstract Archipelago

This small abstract painting depicts an almost birds eye view of islands, and draws upon my experience of flying over the sea, rocks and islands of Scilly.

In the 1970s, when I was child, my family visited the Isles of Scilly every year and we would fly by helicopter from Penzance to St Marys. For a young child this short helicopter ride was so exciting and exhilarating.

In this painting I am imagining looking through my nine-year-old eyes, peering down to see rocks, fields, bays, beaches and boats below, and, at the same time, through energised marks, I try to portray the noise and vibration of the helicopter.

I have used a combination of acrylic paint, mixes of cerulean blue, burnt ochre, primary yellow, burnt sienna and phthalo turquoise, as well as titanium white and mars black. The paint has been applied using different sized brushes. I have also applied deep intense charcoal marks. This painting is built up of layers which have been applied and removed.