top of page
River Spirits

My trip to the Pilbara area in Western Australia allowed me to experience the remoteness of this vast land. Spending days just in one dry riverbed alone became a vision quest and with it a freedom I had never experienced before. Painting on site, on the ground with no restrictions was completely liberating.

I was not sure how this painting would end up but what emerged for was the understanding that this land while seemingly uninhabited was teeming with life. I would not presume to have knowledge of this ancient land nor the Indigenous Culture inhabiting it for more than 30,000 years, but I felt and experienced something in the riverbed. I wanted to paint the earthy nature of the landscape but left myself open to what would come.

The technique using colour, texture, transparency and movement are metaphors for an experience not easily translated into words.

Technique ā€“ Colour, Texture and Movement:  Laying the canvas on the ground seemed the best way to engage with the landscape, feeling the energy rising through my barefeet and up through the tip of my fingers. I had no agenda, just to observe and keep applying paint in splashes and strokes all the time engaging with what I thought I saw. Finally something emerged so unexpected and delightful.

This painting has very obvious dimensions, the underpainting is quite apparent contrasting with the thick over painting. The elements of wind, rain and sun are represented in the colours of the painting. Rich reds of the Pilbara earth, creamy yellow of the parched foliage, pale soft greens of the salt bush, bright ultramarine of the sky above and the pale green/blue of the horizon which goes on and on.

River Spirits

SKU: 0009
$3,000.00Price
  • Medium:  Oil on Canvas


    Size:  5100 mm x 7600 mm

Logo-06.png

Contact

  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

Subscribe to get exclusive updates

Thanks for subscribing!

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

In the spirit of reconciliation and deep gratitude, Ellen Michel School of Art, acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people as traditional custodians of the land on which we reside, and pay respect to their Elders past, present and emerging. We extend respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait people throughout Australia.

Copyright © 2023 Ellen Michel Art School
ABN: 93201516837
Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions
Site by Daniela Stankovic

bottom of page