Grace, Under Pressure

‘Grace, Under Pressure’ is a statement of intent within my folio, given that it’s the first work painted onto Aluminium. I’d been looking for a material that offered a smooth painting surface; smoother than might be obtained with the usual board or canvas and, in Aluminium, I think I’ve found it. It’s so stable as a medium – never cracking or warping – and carries the paint beautifully.

For some time now, I’ve been fascinated by ‘Magic-Realism’ and have been steadily building-up a folio of work with that theme; as a ‘Dryad’, Grace‘ fits right into that schema.

There’s a lot going on in the work. First – and most obvious – is the Mandarin Duck sat atop Grace’s head, looking at first glance, to be an ornate head-piece, offset by the swag of apple blossom in her hair. Talking of hair, I was struck at the way her billowing locks mingle with the corona of berry-laden twigs at her back; a happy experiment. The work is framed by a halo of neutral sky-blue, from which her single, striking earring is leaping.

Grace might be ‘Under Pressure’ then, but her serenity triumphs: and isn’t that what we’re all striving for?

  • Prints

    I use either archival Fine-Art paper or Hahnemuhle cotton canvas (Rolled & UnStretched). They come in a few sizes:  Mini: An Open Edition, that’s hand-monogrammed on the Matte.  Small: As for Mini.   Standard: Ready-mounted & signed in an edition of #95.   Larger: Un-Mounted & signed. Strictly printed-to-order.  Frames shown for illustrative purposes only.

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