Linell Designs: Mini Mural Fun

Mermaids not seen since the 70's

Chesterfield Art Club turned out in strength for a session of Mini Mural Painting. More used to watercolour paper and canvas, chipboard was a challenge. Allowing a rectangle of chipboard to lead, and expecting an artist to follow it is a bit of a tall order. But everyone managed it, some even enjoyed the element of surprise such a radical medium brought. Some found it liberating playing with paint again in a way they hadn't done for years;

It takes patience to see what is hidden within the wood grain, and with only 2 hours in which to make those discoveries, the results were a beginning, rather than an end. Some people, unleashing their inner Grayson Perry, others finding a part of them they had lost about 50 years ago.

Autumn Stage 1

Autumn lace

Stage 2

Stage 3

Actually it never ceases to amaze me just how creative we are as a species, finding form and meaning in just about everything.

It does help if you have very few pre-conceived ideas, and a bit of imagination. But even that isn't essential. The process of unearthing or revealing what your board holds within is a sculptural one..

Imagination is one thing we are not short of, even those who doubt they have any at all seem to come up with something surprising. And yes, in case you're wondering, someone did find Jesus and for some reason, the Burning Bush. He shall be nameless, let us just say he is the Alpha Bear of the Club, and his concentration was slightly distracted by a poorly eye and a new member playing up. [The eye not the new member] There is hope for him yet, but possibly not on chipboard....

Pelicans and Pigs

Underseascape

Bamboo boat

chunky sea on chunky board

A thin wash on a board can reveal hidden hieroglyphs, pastel brings the out texture. Painting between the wood chips highlights the negative shapes. There are so many ways to approach a surface as complex as this.