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Tag Archives: Alchemical work
Dr. John
Here’s my friend and colleague Dr. John Tanacci checking on the still to make sure everything is bubbling away nicely. He came out to the gallery to set up the apparatus and has been a great teacher as I have … Continue reading
Roses
I love California’s weather for its kindness to roses – here you can grow plants that will bloom almost all year round, and I’ve often bragged about them to my father on the telephone as he looks out over his rain-swept English … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Making work, Sources, Tarot-related paintings
Tagged Alchemical work, Crucifixion, mysticism, oil painting, rosicrucian
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Gesso
I’ve been laying down lots of gesso today, preparing the tall canvases for painting and getting those spheres that Justice and Temperance are standing upon ready for gold. The two virtues have had at least four thick coats to get … Continue reading
Amelia’s Feet
              Amelia’s feet are progressing well, and I’ve added a shadow to the ground to her right so she touches the ground. I added some shadows and details to … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, Making work, The Cardinal Virtues
Tagged Alchemical work
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Headless
The sword is coming along, based on a fabulous samurai sword loaned to me by our lovely costume designer, Lolita Ball, who is simply delightful. The alchemical Queen Amelia looks dramatic and intentional now, having acted to behead the king, … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, Installation work, Making work
Tagged air, Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, fire
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Temperance chastens
Another layer of zinc white over the shadow work in the wings, Â dropping the dark areas back into the white and giving a softer quality to the surface of the feathers. I put the stream of water between the bottles … Continue reading
Face and Hand
I worked on defining the features of the face first, using the Prussian blue to draw edges and shadows around the eyes, nose and mouth. Having defined the features I added some pinks and reds around the mouth in particular, … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, Installation work, Making work
Tagged Alchemical work, nigredo, oils, painting
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Face
Amelia’s face got the attention it has waited for, and I’m pleased with the way it’s going. She’s going to look great now. I’ll let this layer dry thoroughly then continue laying down the layers of the flesh over this … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, Installation work, Making work
Tagged air, Alchemical work
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Rock salt
I added a layer of zinc white to the rocks. Zinc is a very transparent white, so it’s great for jobs like this, where I want to keep the colour and texture beneath it coming through. With the remaining paint … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, Installation work, Making work
Tagged Alchemical work, oils, painting
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Reworked jacket, sky and stone
Amelia is developing well. My ideas are changing all the time at the moment, and I’m really enjoying the developments. Having painted the sky in, I got into the next unifying layer of raw sienna over the landscape, and added … Continue reading
Posted in Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, Installation work, Making work
Tagged air, Alchemical work, Amelia Earhart, earth, elements
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