There is something interesting about texture and decay. While we can find it distasteful in some situations, it still has the connection to life, often from neglect in man made structures. Natural objects, which still decay, don't seem to have the roughness to them or stand out as strongly visually.
This wall, along the side of a canal shows all the elements of age, decay and neglect. Iron in water pipe exits stains the concrete surface with shades of orange rust. Water stains seep upwards from tide or lock lines. Metal erodes, concrete crumbles. Nature reclaims its space.
This is a multimedia piece on 4" x 12" gallery canvas. I used coarse pumice paste for the top third to add roughness, molding paste for the rest with a little firm gel in places. Oil washes, a bit of palette knife work and here it is. 4 x 12 on gallery canvas.
Pastes and gels are wonderful for adding texture to paintings, and any number of effects can be created using them. They break up the surface and leave under colour showing through as additional layers hit the high points.
7 comments:
Urban Decay - one of my favourite subjects. I've been drawing & photographing it since college.
This is an interesting painting, and you certainly have captured the decaying quality of the wall.
I love how this looks with the oils. I wouldn't have thought of using the pastes or gels with my oils but I know they are used a lot for watercolor frequently. I love texture and only realized how much the last 10 years. I think I'll have to give this a try. You are always a source of inspiration ... thank you Jeanette.
Yes, there's something about the process where nature takes over man made objects that makes examining them very interesting.
The pastes and gels can give a lot in any medium I think Nancy. Texture, pushing into abstraction becomes more interesting to me too lately.
I hope you play around with texture and see what you come up with.
I like this a lot - it's something I find fascinating, just how beautiful sections are when isolated. I've taken photos but not got around to very much painting of the subject, This could be a great new series for you.
Thanks Vivien. I love the textures and seeing the varying colours created by nature.
It could be an interesting series of 10 or 12 pieces all the same size - slices that examine aspects of decay.
Wonderful work - a series would definitely be interesting Jeanette!! I could see them in a large scale format too... :)
Thanks Hedera, yes, recreating a wall size section of wall could be very interesting. Time for another grant to pay for all the paste and paint!
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