Exploring the idea of a thought, feeling or emotion which cannot be physically seen but only felt or imagined. Conveying this through abstract process painting. Creating free, peaceful and ethereal paintings based on being in the presence of God.
In this piece, I have explored abstract art through different processes. Looking at the ‘Soak-stain’ method and ‘Pouring’ thinned down paint directly onto a stretched canvas. Using mediums like acrylic paint and oil paint. Exploring how the processes of painting and colour link together to convey a certain emotion, feeling or thought. Linking this to being in the presence of God and the peace and calm of prayer or worship.
When making the canvas, I wanted to take into consideration the size and how it will impact the audience. Creating a canvas taller than the average person means that the painting will tower over the audience, almost being consumed and surrounded by an entity.
Acrylic and oil paint on canvas
120 cm (width) by 244 cm (height)
Using a soft and muted colour palette throughout the canvas, to create a calm and weightless effect, like a sense of relief and peace when looking at it.
Canvas Detail
Canvas Detail
I feel my work represents an ethereal presence, focusing on the light within oneself and the joy felt by being consumed by Gods love and presence. I have created this by using white oil paint on top of an acrylic wash to brighten up the canvas. Directly pouring white spirit on top of the oil paint creates a dispersed effect, when placed on a slightly damp canvas (from the thinned acrylic wash).
Canvas Detail
Canvas Detail
Continual layering throughout the process of the painting. Using thinned down acrylic paint, as well as oil paint to create contrast in the density and vibrancy of colour. Due to the fluidity of the medium this has allowed me to move the medium over the large surface. Layering with extremely thinned down paint has allowed the layers to show through, showing the outlines of where the paint has dried, creating dimension and texture within the canvas. As each layer is extremely thin, it was important to ensure each layer dried in between each application of paint. This meant that I had to slow down the process which I was not used to. However, doing this allowed me to think about the movements I was creating with my hands, allowing me to focus on Gods presence, as well as being more intentional and purposeful with my marks.
