Tag: Nature

2774. St Werburghs tunnel (148)

I first met Sirens a few years ago in The Bearpit when he was contributing to a paint jam, I think organised by Georgie. I have had a soft spot for his work ever since. His scenes are most unconventional and unlike anything else you see in the city. Often his work contains strong horizons and vanishing points and that interface between humanity and nature.

Sirens, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020
Sirens, St Werburghs, Bristol, February 2020

I also know that Sirens enjoys the chalenge of painting in corners, a form of anamorphic art that needs to be viewed from a certain angle in order to make sense. This naive style is instantly recognisable and although not technically up there with some of the Bristol masters, it is original and in a way aesthetically pleasing. I haven’t seen any of his work for ages so it was great to find this one at the tunnel.

(Bio)Diversity

 

Dominance softened

when pockets of difference

break monotony

 

by Scooj

 

At first glance this picture appears to show only mussels, but take a longer closer look. There are at least six different species in the picture and they break up the regular pattern and dominance of the mussels to create a less threatening and stark ecology. A metaphor perhaps?

Life-long naturalist

 

There is some comfort

in knowing that what I do

benefits nature

 

by Scooj

Winter Heliotrope

 

Looking for the sun

where there is none to be found

a winter beauty

 

by Scooj

 

 

Goldcrest

 

Tiniest of birds

pays me a little visit

deeply privileged

 

by Scooj

Llangorse Lake

 

Autumn browned margins

offer cover for wildlife

people in hides watch

 

by Scooj

 

 

Imagination

.

Beneath the ginkgo

shoals of yellow manta ray

gather at the kerb

.

by Scooj

With thanks to Bill Bisgood for getting me thinking about these wonderful trees.

Viscount heron

.

Aristocratic

surveyor of his domain

goldfish pond in view

.

by Scooj

2536. Cheltenham 2019 (15)

This is an incredible piece by Fabio Petani, an Italian muralist who rarely paints at festivals because he makes his living from commissions and can rarely afford give up the time to paint ‘for fun’. So this is a rare treat and a bit of a coup for organisers of the Cheltenham Paint Fesitval.

Fabio Petani, Paint Festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019
Fabio Petani, Paint Festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019

His work is symbolic of connecting people with nature, which is something of a strong societal theme these days and his sketch-like illustration, on a grand scale, brings nature to the urban setting. I think the stark and perfect yellow ring reminds us of human endeavour and how we have divorced ourselves from nature. This is a thoughtful and beautifully painted piece.

Fabio Petani, Paint Festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019
Fabio Petani, Paint Festival 2019, Cheltenham, September 2019

I managed to snatch a few words with the artist on the Friday and on the Sunday I just happened to be there as he finished the piece and moved the scissor lift out of the way. I believe I was the first to photograph the completed work.

English Longhorn

 

At Parsonage Down

among the anthill hillocks

ancient cattle herd

 

by Scooj