Forest Alchemy ©2004 Michelle Basic Hendry
Alchemy is the transformation of one substance into another, particularly lead into gold; a spiritual, mystical and physical experience for the alchemist.
Nature is the ultimate alchemist, transforming through her cycle of the seasons – most notably in the trees. After the leaves drop to the ground, their colours seems to slowly meld with the tones of the earth beneath them, changing from rich golds and crimson to bronze, then brown. They are then recycled from the soil and back into Gold.
I was playing with the idea of making a ‘painting’ of the Muskoka forest floor in gold, silver and bronze paints. This painting took hours to first mold the leaves and a week to dry them. I added layer after layer of paint to create the effects of both nature and metal. Of all the paintings in this early combination of abstracts and realism in mixed media – this one was by far my favourite. It was the very first painting that I sold.
Trevor Linagrd
/ January 24, 2009Hi Michelle
A beautiful painting. Makes me crave for the coming seasons.
regards
Sadia
/ January 24, 2009It’s just georgous ! The luster and gold tones are brilliant. Great job Michelle!
Linda Blondheim
/ January 24, 2009Fabulous painting Michelle. Just wonderful.
Love,
Linda
kaslkaos
/ January 24, 2009What an intriguing idea! Beautiful. The colours of autumn are always fascinating and full of splendor.
Michelle
/ January 24, 2009Thanks, Trevor!
It was fun to get the balance of lustre and colour – thanks, Sadia!
Thanks, Linda…
Ingrid – I had fun with that idea!
julie king
/ January 24, 2009what a wonderful piece! the 3-d shapes and textures are perfect! and of course the fall colors!
Sarah Lynch
/ January 24, 2009This really is a brilliant idea, a wonderful use for mixed media. And, needless to say, beautifully executed.
Michelle
/ January 24, 2009Thanks, Julie!
Sarah – I wonder where these ideas come from sometimes!
Lana
/ January 24, 2009Very cool & a great idea!
Michelle
/ January 25, 2009Thanks, Lana!
Debbie
/ January 25, 2009Gorgeous! I love the 3D affect to this painting and the sense of autumn’s brilliance.
Michelle
/ January 25, 2009Thanks, Debbie! I noticed we are both doing “autumn” at the moment…
Patrick
/ January 27, 2009Wonderful job Michelle, i love the “relief” you gave to the image.
Heather
/ January 27, 2009This is beautiful, the bright colors against the dark background along with the 3D effect portray nature at its finest!
Cheers
Michelle
/ January 27, 2009Thanks, Patrick!
Thanks, Heather – occasionally one acts on pure inspiration.. This was one of those times.
Geoffrey
/ February 2, 2009Michelle,
I must be dreaming as I saw this post a while back and felt certain I left a comment but I see I didn’t.
Your notion of alchemy connected to me on the level of the psyche: lead to gold, the symbolism of the base corruptible metal transformed into the pure and incorruptible.
I understand that scientists have performed this transmutation, but I’m only interested in its emotional imagery.
Your mixed-media picture is a real delight. I feel a little sad that you sold it.
When I painted, I gave away, lost, destroyed, sold, so many images I would now love to see again. I’m so glad you kept one of yours. It’s very beautiful!
Take care,
Geoffrey
Michelle
/ February 3, 2009Geoffrey – I am glad you liked it. Art itself is a kind of alchemy, I think!