Survival of the Bumble Bee

If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe then man would only have four years of life left. No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man - Albert Einstein (3)

Originally this etching was created as part of a 'nature' themed based exhibition for The World Land Trust Gallery in 2013.
Recently reminded of and challenged by the controversial issues concerning harmful effects of pesticides upon bees, I have now reworked this etching adding water colour and ink pen creating a detailed study of this Bumble Bee, so delicate, so small, seemingly insignificant - yet the bee plays a vital role for our planets survival.
 Only 4 good images were able to be created from the etching as it was etched onto plastic... works such as this are  part of an  ongoing project concerning the effects of and impact we are having upon our natural environment.

 

 

 

 above quotes 1,2,3,from....

http://www.philharding.net/quotes-corner/quotes-corner-2env.htm

HAPPY EARTH DAY!

 

22nd April a celebration Its..... EARTH  DAY !

Trees Acrylic on canvas yf

 

Franz Krajcberg says "My culture is nature. My work is nature. I must continue to defend nature." and "Art must be for participation."

 "After a visit to the beach, it's hard to believe that we live in a material world."
- Pam Shaw 1

"When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world."
- John Muir 2

    

What does one person give to another? He gives of himself, of the most precious he has, he gives of his life. This does not necessarily mean that he sacrifices his life for the other - but that he gives him of that which is alive in him; he gives him of his joy, of his interest, of his understanding, of his knowledge, of his humor, of his sadness -- of all expressions and manifestations of that which is alive in him. In thus giving of his life, he enriches the other person, he enhances the other's sense of aliveness by enhancing his own sense of aliveness. He does not give in order to receive; giving is in itself exquisite joy. But in giving he cannot help bringing something to life in the other person, and this which is brought to life reflects back to him.”
― Erich Fromm
tags: the-art-of-loving
Lovley inspiring words by sociologist

   http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/earth-day-quotes.php   1 and 2



Acrlic on canvas yf

Themed Exhibition called.... YUM!

 

Water colour works in the process of being finished for the  'Yum' exhibition... here I would like to share the developing  of Fruits of The Earth; the techniques of working with watercolour starts by using a combination of layering on the colour glazes-  some areas will be worked using the wet paint on wet paper technique whilst other areas wet paint is applied onto dry paper ...here I use Arches paper - I find it enables me to get the result I am trying to achieve ... 

Based on Bottecille's Birth of Venus
I focus on her head as a portraiture

Using photographs -various fruits  such as Kiwi
in order to get patterns and proportions right

Initial drawings for the work...

                                                 photo black and white to show tones

 adding washes of water colour

 building up glazes..........

 enlarging image ................

  close up of areas ..

 working detail of face........

 adding stronger line to define

Each month the Freudian Sheep Gallery  holds a themed based 'open to members' Exhibition, each member submits art work (a minimum of three times per year)
This months exhibition is based on aspects of food hence theme Yum....Curators Ian and Eleanor run the Gallery
I initially was working on still life - a bowl of cherries but the growing  idea to incorporate and appropriate works by the masters took over the results I am working on now are three water colour works 1. titled YUM, based on the   Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci.... 2 titled The Morello Cherrie, based on Girl with The Pearl Earring by Vermeer and 3 titled Fruits of The Earth based on Birth of Venus by Sandro Botticelli...............

A new works journey.... to leave alone or rework

Humans who spend time in the wilderness, alone, without man-made mechanical noise around them, often discover that their brain begins to recover its ability to discern things. (Robert Anderson)



The meaning of Life is to find your gift ...and the purpose of life is to give it away- Pablo Picasso

Over the last couple of weeks

 Recently I have been working on a piece of art work for a commission ... I find commissions are a totally different ball game ... The meetings, the discussions and the note taking are all part and parcel...then the blank canvas stares back!! ouch-
There is a sense of nervous anticipation... creating a work after gleaning the information ....the  drawings, sketches, ideas start to form -some ideas ditched and new ideas come into being ... finally the challenge and niggles of uncertainty or enthusiasm occur as a work comes into being-  Having given it your all in the zone of wonderful creativity then arrives the MOMENT OF TRUTH!........
The interesting thing about art and especially commission work is it is very revealing...being aware of peoples response and reaction to a works progress. Will it be a look of horror and disappointment or a gasp of delight!
Having an openness and an honesty as well as ability to 'take on the chin' any initial response is also a valuable experience - nothing is lost there is always something to be gained on this journey.

The work created a response of  rapturous positivity the knock on effect experienced was relief now comes a time to consolidate, reflect on the work - to consider unfinished areas .... title Heart of The Forest acrylic paint 2016

 

 ref http://www.art-quotes.com/getquotes.php?catid=202#.VwTStO_2bmQ