A trilogy of 3 paintings inspired by Iceland, aptly named the Land of Fire and Ice, as it evokes many a strong emotive feeling with its haunting landscapes, ever-changing expansive skies and clouds drama, wintry ice sculptured vistas, all in dramatic surrealistic otherworldly hues that one can only imagine exist in the real world.
The land was chilling, the weather harsh, full of contradictions and extremes that only Mother Nature can render in all its glory without inhibition. And it was a blessing to witness, to experience, and at long last, to paint, the indelible images that stuck with the emotions infusing in the strokes of these 3 pieces, epitomising serenity, exuberance and unbridled imagination.
Title: Akureyri (O113)
Description: Haunting landscape painting of northern Iceland with colourful twilight purple pink sunset skies, icy snow mountains and surreal ice lake reflections, in impasto impressionistic strokes reminiscent of Van Gogh. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Title: Abstract Field (O112)
Description: Abstract landscape painting of yellow orange fiery Icelandic wheat field in vibrant colours and rhythmic strokes, much like a child's pictorial. Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Title: Pink Thoughts (O111)
Description: Surreal whimsical Iceland city lake painting with pink twilight clouds, abstract blue white water reflections and brown orange autumn leaves. Reykjavik, Icelandic Series 2014.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 61 x 61cm.
Purchase at: yen.artfire.com
I thought I was done with painting Spain but a re-visit this year traversing the aragon pyrenees to the south rekindled the passion, and so it was that I started with the most memorable place that embellishes itself into my mind, and heart, forever.. Ainsa.
A little village in the Camino Aragones (see my Spain Camino series), Ainsa was once the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Sobarbe. With a colourful tumultous history, the town saw in turn the imprints of the Celts, the Romans, the Muslims and finally, the Christians in the Reconquest of the Middle Ages. I fell in love with it at first sight, drawn to its beckoning mystique and sense of history, and knowing that I would paint it, I went about taking postcard pictures :)
Strangely this was a canvas that I had tried painting a city landscape that didn't quite work. On impulse, I painted over it straight, and either the colours of the original canvas, or my strong emotions on reminiscing Ainsa, took over. It was pure delirium to translate the aura of Ainsa on canvas. And thus, the happy result where I discovered a colour tone that I have not used before but sets out the feel of the medieval architecture perfectly.
Title: Ainsa (O71)
Description: A is for Ainsa, a little village in the Camino Aragones, once the capital of the medieval Kingdom of Sobarbe and seeing the imprints in turn of the Celts, the Romans, the Muslims and the Christians in the Reconquest of the Middle Ages. I fell in love with it at first sight, drawn to its aura of mystique and history, and knew that I would paint it. Spain Vignettes 2011.
Medium: Oil on Ready-to-Hang Canvas.
Dimensions: 76 x 61cm.
SOLD.
