Nesting 1
Mixed media on paper using monoprint, collage, acrylic, charcoal and oil pastel.
I also have prints
available of this piece. I worked with a specialist Edinburgh printer to make
the editions, which are printed on Hahnemühle German Etching paper (archival
quality, 310 gsm).
About the work
Nesting 1 is part of my Nesting series, which gathers together work made during a period of unexpected nesting in 2020-21.
Through close observation of found feathers and nests I slowed down and settled in to make studies of these beautiful, complex and perfectly imperfect structures.
I decided to restrict my subject matter to these objects giving myself limitations within which to experiment. I enjoy working with different materials - the way that ink or paint reacts with paper or wood - the way that thread or wool can be used to create a fine line or a robust material. The materials guide you, sometimes producing accidents, which is part of the joy of it.
Anni Albers puts it very well:
“Being creative is not so much the desire to do something as listening to that which wants to be done: the dictation of the materials”.
With pieces developed through drawing, painting, monoprinting and collage Nesting features works on paper, wood and fabric.