I have been creating various forms of ‘Talisman’ works since 2016. I just love how lost I can get in the detail of these little drawings. It was much more interactive to create in oil paint compared to ink on paper though and I look forward to learning more about how to translate my technique on to the canvas, but it all began with experimenting with paint on card.
I originally made 100’s of painted cards and left the tiny artworks around California in response to the election at the time, my desire to add something positive to my wider community to help balance the heaviness in the air. Hopefully, it could be a little surprise to lift someones spirit in the moment.
The project became ‘Revolution-art with heart’ and many people joined in from all over the globe, spreading goodwill in their own daily travels. The original ask was for people to pass it on in someway if they felt inclined and able, I hoped for a sea of ‘random acts of kindness’ to counter the ‘other’s’ mindset that sadly, seemed to be growing and instead add to the tipping point… of love. It was well received and grew a life of its own, which is wonderful and I hope in some form it continues morphing out there as long as its needed.
8 years later and those detailed little (2.3’x3.5”) works have morphed into ink and paper works (A4) that have kept me creating through a two renovations, two house sales and an international move!
Once my materials arrived via container ship, I set up the studio in New Zealand and translated the technique into a painting.
I learnt a lot from making her that I will take forward.
Talisman Painting No 1.
‘Talisman Paining I’ 2024
The ‘Talisman’ creations have enabled me to continue making art at times when my studio has been in storage or various states of chaos during our decade long travels.
They have become an extension of my journalling practice, a meditation while creating and always adding to my personal vocabulary and exploration of technique in various materials.
I am very happy to share ‘Talisman Painting I’ has found its forever home in Christchurch, NZ.
I hope she brings the collector lots of good energy!
‘Talisman Painting I’
(photo cred: the collector)
If you are curious- Here is a link to the original blog post regarding ‘The Revolution’ project back in 2015:
revolution project