One of my most favourite gifts from a friend was this little chaffinch nest. They had found it abandoned, most probably after the fledglings had flown, and gave it to me. I love nests and have painted little ones with birds in the past but I've never painted a solo nest. A little while ago I treated myself to some small Ampersand Claybord panels to try out. Little did I know that it was going to be the start of something rather magical in my creative life!
First I had to choose my materials and tools. During the last week of my 3Oday mark-making challenge I started using PH Martin's Bombay Inks which are just beautiful. With vibrant colours and the properties of being archival but mixing well with water before they dry, I knew I wanted to use them. I also wanted to use watercolour for the ethereal effects of a watery background and in some of the layers. I used to work a lot with watercolour on paper and just love the unpredicable nature of them when working wet-in-wet.
I started to practise on mountboard because it has less absorbancy which helped me to understand what it would be like to work on claybord. Claybord doesn't absorb the paint at all, and when working wet the paint just sits on the surface. What makes it so special is that I could continue to work in many layers, and if I wanted to, I could scratch out textures using special tools designed for using on scratchboard and claybord. It is a bit like working in pen and wash in layers, but instead of using pen as a positive mark, the scratching out creates a white, negative mark. But the marks can be painted over to colourise them.
The result is a multi-layered painting with textural marks within and on top of the colours. I also used mica flakes to add some final interest.
I have completed these first four paintings in a new series, "Flown", to honour these little abandoned nests. Nests are little treasures and the only sign left that new life began, hidden in the foliage or grass somewhere in the Spring. After the fledglings have left, these beautiful creations are left to decay and return to the earth. I keep my chaffinch nest in a box in my studio so I can use it for inspiration over and over. I also have a pigeon nest that is a bit sparse but still interesting!
The paintings are 15x15cm square and I'll be selling them unframed in the online shop from Friday. These panels are sealed and ready to be framed without glass. Your local framer will be able to advise to suit your home, but I recommend a wide frame in a neutral colour.
Meanwhile I have other exciting things in the pipeline - I will of course let you know when they are confirmed.
Here are a few of my other small paintings featuring nests and blackbirds that are still available. These little ones are 10x10cm cradled birch panels and are free standing or can be hung. Please message me if you see something you like.
That is all for now. I'll be back soon with more news!
Deborah x
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