Wolseley / London work 1

Mixed media on A3 watercolour paper

Inspired by John Wolseley’s approach of collaboration with nature, I set up my materials beside the rocks – on a scorching summer’s day in Queensland!
My approach was to:
• Gather a selection of vegetative materials for experimentation
• Lay watercolour paper on the grass, and wet it thoroughly
• Introduce paint, ink, mediums…
• Lay the leaves, seeds and pods into the wet paint
• Follow Peter London’s lead from Drawing Closer to Nature, and let nature speak to me during the process, and follow her prompting (2003).

The experience of letting go and letting nature and Spirit lead the way was liberating and wonderfully enjoyable! I traced my path of discovery and observation, delighted by nature’s essence and intricacy and possibilities. Being touched by nature took on a whole new meaning – quite literally… and the soft-edged openings to beyond were filled with soft layers of filtered light.

I could use line to create another level of ‘openings’ in future works. Or link the line to the “golden threads that flow through time” (NGA quoting Cossington Smith, 2017).

Reference:
London, Peter. 2003. Drawing Close to Nature: Making Art in Dialogue with the Natural World. Boston, Massachusetts: Shambala Publications Inc.