Thursday 31 December 2015

Happy Well wishes for 2016


Well wishes for 2016




 Taken by surprise...one day this year on
hearing a droning noise I looked up to see this amazing
 feat -a small plane's acrobatic antics created this smiling face

                            Sugar loaf mountains South of Dublin

“May Light always surround you;                                                          
Hope kindle and rebound you.
May your Hurts turn to Healing;
Your Heart embrace Feeling.
May Wounds become Wisdom;
Every Kindness a Prism.
May Laughter infect you;
Your Passion resurrect you.
May Goodness inspire
your Deepest Desires.
Through all that you Reach For,
May your arms Never Tire.”                                                                  
D. Simone (1)
 


Wednesday 9 December 2015

A Combination of Art and Haiku- Wishing You a Peaceful Christmastime


NATURES INSPIRATIONS...."I go to nature to be soothed and healed and have my senses put in order"- John Burrows 

Nothing needs be wasted here; using past unfinished work and verse inspired by nature...



This water colour, ink, and pencil image had been hidden away unfinished for nearly two years. Recently I have had the pleasure of a visiting Blue tit perching on my window sill first thing in the morning. My great love for wildlife and birds was influenced by my father as a child. I also am a great believer in the inspiration that come from poems and quotes...My visiting friend reminded me of a past haiku poem I had written... inspired by these little happenings the image is now complete along with the added haiku.
Wishing you a very merry peaceful Christmastime and a wonderful art inspired 2016 warm wishes, Yvonne





Early one December morning Vibrant sun rise

Thursday 3 December 2015

Recent works- on Artfinder.com


Look!  Look!  Look deep into nature and you will understand everything.  Albert Einstein

Recently I have been working on creating art works for online gallery artfinder.com

Waterfalls of Iceland             

Experiencing the 'wilds' of Iceland's natural world in 2014 was an awe inspiring event. The Icelandic landscape is vast, wild, and desolate and at the same time hauntingly beautiful leaving an indelible mark.
I was keen to get images of Iceland's natural phenomenon's, hence the inspiration for 'Waterfalls Iceland' emerged. I felt that manipulating the original photo image would sustain the evocative memories and experiences: The power of nature, the immense roar and rush of water, the sublime experience of being so close to the precipice, the evocative smell of earth and water spray mingling. Being so close was surreal...Abstracting and manipulating the image in this way I endeavoured to create and capture a sense of immersion, the sublime and the surreal in these works. now for sale on Artfinder.com

ACRYLIC WORKS   -   Icelandic Abstract I and Icelandic Abstract II. 2015. 6x6 inch
 Now these recent works are continuing the theme in acrylic. Abstract in definition through the works I endeavour to capture the experience of being so close to the precipice, enveloped in the sensations, sounds, and sights... these contemporary micro works capturing moments in time out in the natural world.







 
 

The acrylic colours used in this work are Turquoise, Ultra Marine Blue and Pthalo Blue along with White; The technique was to energetically scrape on and scratch off until I felt I achieved an expressive sense of natures power - the sense of submersion experienced at the waterfalls in Iceland.


 
Come forth into the light of things, let Nature be your teacher.  William Wordsworth

The whole secret of the study of nature lies in learning how to use one's eyes...  George Sand

Wednesday 21 October 2015

Exhibition. "If a tree falls in the forest does anybody hear?"

"All that is born on this planet has a right to live on it." Franz Krajcberg (2)

 A second Exhibition at the Halesworth Library is underway: Building on the previous one it endeavours to be a continuation of developing work for this project on deforestation.. It celebrates the diversity of wildlife and plants. And considers the effects and challenges for the Rainforests when deforestation occurs.

 
The artworks again are a drawing together of the above concerns, particularly in the adjoining image, 'We Are Making A New World ' Inspired by Paul Nash's influential works, he produced as a war artist. His images stemmed from the impact of bombing upon the peoples and landscapes of Europe...His significant works can resonate today  as we see the prevalence of mass eco-cide occurring -The impact of deforestation upon the Rainforest's inhabitants; peoples, land, flora and fauna. This results, for example, in the consequentialities , the irrevocable loss of precious plants - such as the 'Periwinkle' known and discovered for its medicinal properties - aiding against childhood Leukemia. (3)a

The richness of plants still yet to be discovered - now being endangered by rapid deforestation - it's  eventual impact upon the eco-systems seem far away, removed, out of sight out of mind from our everyday lives...,and highlighted by the apt words ..."If a tree falls in the forest....does anybody hear?





The adjacent work titled, Forest, Civilisation, Desert,  derived from the quote..."Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them."  By Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand - who in 19th Centuary, experienced the impact and rise of mass industrialization and the decimation of European forests, that 'fuelled' the Industrial Revolution... Chateaubriands words still resonate a hundred years on with the same poignant sentiments lingering concerning the voracious mass deforestation of Rainforests by the 'civilized' man seemingly unaware of the eco-consequences and irrevocable  damages - legacies being left for future generations.

Originally, from Poland, Brazilian Artist, Franz Krajcberg's, sentiments resonate here, through his perceptive observations about the modern world..."Artistic thinking confirms with sorrow that contemporary society is a commercial machine"... (2)

Krajcberg's Major Exhibiton in, 1989 was critically acclaimed...An article in the Manchete's apt response stated, " The exhibit awakens the Brazilian to the holocaust of nature"(2a). Another stating how the impact of Mr Krajcberg's "Amazon Cemetery" had caused some to cry." (2a)

In the Interview Krajcberg said "My culture is nature. My work is nature. I must continue to defend nature." and "Art must be for participation."  (2a)


The conceptual approach to the above exhibition's work is twofold- it's a celebration of nature's diversities. The finely honed balances evolving over eons, the intricate harmony within eco-systems, the symbiotic dances between plant life and creatures, both responding to one another as an act of natural recycling. And an act that enables the cycle of life to continue. 

Whilst simultaneously the exhibition  draws on scientific informative highlighting the anthropic aspects, How human activities strive to accumulate through the exploiting of natural resources. Some images above giving expression to  the dilemmas we face the misinformed, misunderstood impact of mass Rainforest deforestation. 

A compelling challenge to myself - an aligning with the issue, heightening of one's own awareness, seeing the bigger picture...the consequences and toll of deforestation. It is said 'trees are the lungs of our planet.' this concerns all living creatures present and future.

Finally Franz Krajcberg's wise words could hold resonance here..." I walked through the forest and discovered life...when with nature I think the truth, I speak the truth, I demand myself to be true.When I look at it, I feel in rhythm with birth, death, life's continuity." (2)
Some parts updated edited 2022 yf

http://www.nytimes.com/1989/10/17/arts/using -art-as-a sword-to-defend-brazil-s-forests.html (2a)

www.artfocus.com/krajcberg.html   in interview by leon kaplin.(2)

 http://www.azquotes.com/author/17606-Francois_Rene_de_Chateaubriand  (1)

Monday 19 October 2015

JUST NOW... a snails pace endurance!

I was just about to go out when I spotted  an extraordinary feat by a snail... right in the middle of the 36ft washing line  I quickly got my camera and shot this picture! I have now released him from this gruelling feat onto terra ferma!!





New works Natures Gems; Icelandic landscapes

 
Waterfall Iceland  
Original photo Image 2014
                     

 



Experiencing the 'wilds' of Iceland's natural world in 2014 was an awe inspiring event. The Icelandic landscape is vast, wild, and desolate and at the same time hauntingly beautiful leaving an indelible mark.
I was keen to get images of Iceland's natural phenomenon's, hence the inspiration for 'Waterfalls Iceland' emerged. I felt that manipulating the photo image would sustain the evocative memories and experiences: The power of nature, the immense roar and rush of water, the sublime experience of being so close to the precipice, the evocative smell of earth and water spray mingling. Being so close was surreal...Abstracting and manipulating the image in this way I endeavoured to create and capture a sense of immersion, the sublime and the surreal in this work.



 Original above photo manipulated 2014 yf



Recent works in acrylic are abstract in definition through the works I endeavour to capture the experience of being so close to the precipice, enveloped in the sensations, sounds, and sights...




Icelandic Abstract I, 2015, Acrylic on Canvas yf


Icelandic Abstract  II, 2015, Acrylic on Canvas yf

Thursday 8 October 2015

Sunrise beyond trees.... inspiration

Sunrise beyond trees is a pastel work in the process of being finished , I found a photo image adding my own interpretation into the work here is the process



Hermann Hesse
“For me, trees have always been the most penetrating preachers. I revere them when they live in tribes and families, in forests and groves. And even more I revere them when they stand alone. They are like lonely persons. Not like hermits who have stolen away out of some weakness, but like great, solitary men, like Beethoven and Nietzsche. In their highest boughs the world rustles, their roots rest in infinity; but they do not lose themselves there, they struggle with all the force of their lives for one thing only: to fulfil themselves according to their own laws, to build up their own form, to represent themselves. Nothing is holier, nothing is more exemplary than a beautiful, strong tree. When a tree is cut down and reveals its naked death-wound to the sun, one can read its whole history in the luminous, inscribed disk of its trunk: in the rings of its years, its scars, all the struggle, all the suffering, all the sickness, all the happiness and prosperity stand truly written, the narrow years and the luxurious years, the attacks withstood, the storms endured. And every young farmboy knows that the hardest and noblest wood has the narrowest rings, that high on the mountains and in continuing danger the most indestructible, the strongest, the ideal trees grow. by Herrman Hesse
http://www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/trees



                                                                                  a work in progress

Visiting Oslo in Norway...Time it just keeps moving on


Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_experience.html#kCvkP3xposdb7eLe.99
The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science.

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/topics/topic_experience.html#kCvkP3xposdb7eLe.99

Time just keeps moving on...

HELLO !!!!

Recently we got the opportunity to visit Oslo in Norway...it was another inspirational and culturally enriching experience, similar in some way's to a trip to Iceland.
One of the great things about going at this particular time in September, was experiencing the wealth of festivals happening in Oslo.Surrounded by various music festivals, film festivals, arts festivals, and food festivals; being immersed into such a diverse array of activities was quite magical...Oslo was fully alive and buzzing!! all our senses were fused into experiencing all these happenings and moments.
Going to the Edvard Munch Museum and seeing  his famous painting 'The Scream' was a moving moment the simple yet stirring image resonating with human emotions we can all experience, along with Munch's other works most of which tell a story of the human condition.
 It was also great to come across Scandinavian artists I hadn't heard of helping my understanding of the richness of Norway's artistic legend's such as Sculptor Gustav Vigeland ; alive at the time of Munch, Vigeland made incredible sculptures based on the human condition and the cycle of life nearly the whole of Frogner Park is dedicated to displaying his works and is truly awe inspiring...here are a few images.....made of marble and bronze


 
 
 

             


Sculptor Gustav Vigeland
Sculptor Gustav Vigeland


Sculptor Gustav Vigeland of Norway

Saturday 29 August 2015

Photo images a flower


Detail of a flower magnified reminds me of Georgia Okeefe's work studies of  flowers close up enabling us to engage with nature to stop and take time to look particularly in our age of busyness where a loss of contact with nature seems so prevalent...
  

                                                               Taking a look.......

 
Taking a closer look...
 
 
 

                                                                         and closer
 
 
 
 
 and closer still...


                                                               
                                                                              
                                 
                                             Magnified the intricate design- patterns, colours, textures
                                             now revealed

                                                                             

Quotes tagged as "nature" (showing 1-30 of 2,966)
Albert Einstein
“A human being is a part of the whole called by us universe, a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feeling as something separated from the rest, a kind of optical delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty.”
Albert Einstein
 
 
 

Images from the Wicklow Mountains...a recent trip to Dublin Ireland

Dublin the place of Guinness, leprechauns, laughter and... the Wicklow Mountains!
is also the birth place of  poet and writer Oscar Wilde; whose capacity to understand the human condition is so perceptively recorded through his timeless words of humour, wit and irony.

Oscar Fingall O'Flahertie Wills Wilde was born in Dublin in 1854. He was educated at Trinity College, Dublin and Magdalen College, Oxford where, a disciple of Pater, he founded an aesthetic cult. (Find more on Amazon)

Oscar Wilde Quotes

 “Live! Live the wonderful life that is in you! Let nothing be lost upon you. Be always searching for new sensations. Be afraid of nothing.”
- Oscar Wilde (1)
 
“The nicest feeling in the world is to do a good deed anonymously-and have somebody find out.”
- Oscar Wilde(1)

 
“The only good thing to do with good advice is pass it on; it is never of any use to oneself.”
- Oscar Wilde(1)

 
“Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.”
- Oscar Wilde(1)


Having travelled to Dubin a number of times now over the last few years I never lose delight in experiencing the timeless beauty of its countryside and the heritage of Dublin's fascinating culture steeped in music, theatre, myths, legends, poetry, and the arts.
The photo images below were taken on the Wicklow Mountains ...


foxglove


Photo image inside a foxglove
 
 
 

























 
 
 
                                         


 
                                           
 
 
 

 
 

Keep Love in your heart. Life without it is like a loveless garden
when the flowers are all dead- Oscar Wilde.(2)
 
 
 
 

Friday 17 July 2015

Up and Coming Exhibition



Over the last few weeks I have drawn together a collection of works from an ongoing project looking at various aspects of the Rainforest. This is for an August Exhibition to be held at a local library.

The exhibitions focuses on two aspects - celebrating the diversity of plants, fauna, and trees within Rainforests (utilising photos taken whilst at the Eden Project) and through the mediums of painting,  charcoal drawings giving attention to the toll and impact of deforestation in the Amazon.
The exhibition also includes paintings produced while working with The World Land Trust as a former student. It was during this time that I first became aware of the detrimental effects of deforestation in the Rainforests across South America; the effects on indigenous people groups, wildlife, insects, plants. This knock on effect is a destabilising of the global eco-systems. There is a well known saying 'Trees are the Lungs of our planet' ...how true.
Some of these works also consider the issues of displacement after deforestation and the plight of Indigenous people.

 Image -Zesty Leaf lit by sunlight (sale)
Consider a flower...

 Image - Vibrant Yellow Flower  (sale)

Delicate Clusters of Purple Flowers (sale) 
Image Exotic and Intricate designs of
  a Pastel Pink Flower (sale)

               
    


Past works Inspired by time at The World Land Trust
                                                                
A New World? Acrylic Collage ,Semi-Abstract. 2013.
yf. NFS = (Not For Sale items)
 
Forest, Civilization, Dessert. Acrylic Collage. 2013 yf NFS
Add caption
  
Displacement I. Acrylic Collage. 2013. yf  NFS



Displacement II. Charcoal.2013.yf  NFS



Recent Paintings depict - Mourning the scars inflicted upon the land
Mourning After I. Acrylic Collage.2015 yf NFS


Mourning After II. Acrylic. 2015 yf. Included in sale
 

Mourning After III. Acrylic. 2015 yf . Included in Sale


Also works for sale with donation going to The World Land Trust

 
Song Thrush Etching 2013 yf.

 Bumble Bee on Clover Etching and Ink 2013. yf


The Old Buck. Linocut. 2013yf



 Enhanced Photo image taken of Icelandic waterfall set on
 Acrylic 2014 yf 
 
 
 
  
Oracle Acrylic Collage (PART) 2013 yf