Tropical Fusions (Panel 4 of 4)

Tropical Fusions (Panel 4 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
Mixed-media artwork on rag paper.
Original work is mounted on a stretched canvas frame support.

Tropical Fusions (Panel 4 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 | Redbubble

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Tropical Fusions (Panel 4 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 | Redbubble
Framed print example

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Tropical Fusions (Panel 4 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 | Redbubble
Card print.

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An experimental art ‘potpourri’ involving techniques of drawing, collage, opaque and transparent glazing (painting), layering and then even more overlaying, cutting and dividing.

Mixed-media:  pencils – graphite, charcoal, pastel, oil, coloured; soft pastels, impasto gel (acrylic medium), netting, papers – rice, cartridge; natural processed fibres – bagasse (from sugar cane stems); water-based screen-print ink.

Support: 300gsm Arches rag paper, size 385 × 285 mm
(Original sheet size 770 × 570 mm divided into quarters.)
Image = Top left hand side panel of four.

At RedBubble - Work Featured in a Group

• Collage with Traditional Mediums (25.11.2013)

Original work is:

• From the Group Exhibition: Cross Currents, 2002, Sugarama Gallery, Mourilyan, QLD.
• Previously Exhibited: 2002-03, Year of the Outback DPI Flying Arts; Selected work for Flying Arts TOURING Exhibition Regional QLD.
• In the artist’s collection.

Inspiration/influences

Overall compositional imagery was inspired/influenced from nature drawing/painting studies direct from my local surrounding Far North Queensland tropical environment such as the capturing of:

• undulating strata layers, rhythms and patterns from the telling timeline surfaces of palm tree trunks
• Leaves – both actual and implied: of leaf fall, Native Hibiscus Tiliaceus (cottonwood) dried leaves plus others
• Palm seeds
• Butterflies and wings – both actual and implied: of the Cairns Birdwing and other
• Seasonal atmospheric elements and Moon cycles
• Earthy oxide palettes – of red iron, Indian red, yellow ochre, white, terra-verte, charcoal and blue – of soils, sands, sky, barks, plants, leaves etc.
• Vessel shapes based on my own fibre receptacle forms
• Symbology plays an overall important role in the total work.

Tropical Fusions (Panel 3 of 4)

Tropical Fusions (Panel 3 of 4)

Mixed-media artwork on rag paper.
Original work is mounted on a stretched canvas frame support.

Tropical Fusions (Panel 3 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch©2013 | Redbubble

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Tropical Fusions (Panel 3 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 | Redbubble

Framed print example

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Tropical Fusions (Panel 3 of 4) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 | Redbubble

Card print

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Dramatic Contrasts and Weather Pattern Changes

Summer in the tropics
Of January 2013
First week
We welcomed the frequented refreshing
Scattered rain showers
Often overnight

Random patchy
Heavy rain cloud covers
Blowing up and in
From the South-East coastline

But it all
Too soon
Dissipated
Yet again 
Alternating to continual hot
Drier sunny but still sultry days
Those seamless blue skies
Dominate fiercely
All second week long
Average temps of 23-33 Celsius

13.01.2013 (photo ref.)
Early evening twilight
Horizon sky line
Subsides into a lull
Of warm ember glow
Sooty, dusky residue
Evidence from further inland
Burning fires

New waxing phase moon
Arisen
Left side tilt
Peering down on a darkening earth

Innisfail Evening Twilight with New Waxing Crescent Moon 2013.01.13
by K.Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

Twilight's embers
Glass paneled windows
A Rustic orange glowing presence
A mirrored reflection

Warm Twilight Reflections, Innisfail by K.Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

Then comes high anticipation
For a 'real' FNQ wet season
News
Of an expectant weather pattern change
Dominating our weary heated senses

Some Top End Monsoonal Low clouds
Finally roll in
Low, heavy
By late afternoon
Two days on, 15.01.2013

Unusually quiet
No storm, no thunder
No gusty winds
Just a heavy deep blue-grey presence,
A thermal blanket
Covering the whole west horizon.

Monsoonal Clouds finally arrive from the West.CBD ~ Innisfail, 6:12:29 pm. 2013.01.15

And in the opposite coastal direction
Sit seemingly
Stagnant
Horizontal aligned rows
Calm, puffy light
Lowly elevated grey clouds

Eastward, overlooking Johnstone River, CBD ~ Innisfail, 6:18:35 pm, 2013.01.15

Hours pass by
The mugginess builds
Heat is trapped
Under the west's mass cloud blanket

Eventually
Offerings from above
Minimal rain shower 
Later
Early morning,1.30 am

That smell of rain
So distinguishable
Bites
Into a dry stuffy atmosphere
Then comes a nip
Of temporary cooling
Of the night air

Bat screechy sounds
Break the ember dark
Night silence 

©2013, 2015 Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch
All rights reserved.

Bauhinia Monandra (Pink Orchid Tree) Flower Cluster

'Bauhinia Monandra (Pink Orchid Tree) Flower Cluster

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'Bauhinia Monandra (Pink Orchid Tree) Flower Cluster'
by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

Prints available at my RedBubble Gallery

I am finally seeing a sparse one or two isolated cluster groups of these lovely pink orchid tree (Dwarf Bauhinia monandra) flowers blossoming in our rural home garden, near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

Unique flower features

• Butterfly-like
• Every cluster appears unique in composition
• The Dwarf Bauhinia Monandra flowers open first as red/rose with yellow tips
  then quickly change to a very sweet pink, then hold the pink
• A rare variety ~ develops pink orchid-like flowers with red blotches or dots, the uppermost one splotched with deeper red, yellow or yellow-margined
• The petals are spreading, each about 2.5 – 4 cm long

Tree’s characteristic features

• Small, rounded-crowned tree with smooth gray bark.
• Twin lobed leaves which are 4 to 6 inches across and cleft almost to the middle, giving the leaf the shape of a hoof print.
• Native of Burma

Since the recent late wet season’s few days of heavy rainfall (delivered by Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald last week in January) a couple more have bloomed, but they are only still appearing in very limited quantities. Perhaps our tropical soil is not acidic enough but the tree plants are still relatively young!
I am observing their progress with keen interest.

Camera/Shoot Details
Handheld Pentax K-5 II s Lens DA* 50-135
1/100s@ f/2.8, ISO 200, FL.135mm
Date – Jan.13, 2013 Time – 18.04.11
Raw file ~ Processed/edited via CS2.

 RedBubble Card 

Image ~ 'Bauhinia Monandra (Pink Orchid Tree) Flower Cluster'
by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

Fine Art and Photographic Prints
available at my RedBubble Gallery

Thanks for visiting.

Wild Rainbow Lorikeets Feeding ~ Innisfail, FNQ, AU.

My first blog for the New Year 2013 and my first published 2013 photographic image 'Wild Rainbow Lorikeets Feeding ~ Innisfail, FNQ, AU.' which originates from my first 2013 photographic shoot session with some new photographic equipment attained through the disguise of that dear generous mythical, magical creature called 'Santa'!  8 )

The FNQ landscape has been pretty much sun parched, greens turning yellowish-brown shades, well up until Christmas Eve when Innisfail finally received a first decent rainfall in months, all of 50mm.  It is a somewhat very mild and slow beginning to our Wet Season which is, by the way, a very welcome change when compared to the dramatic heavy rains and floods experienced in previous December periods ('big wet' example image here).

So even though the tropical heat and humidity prevails at this time of year, we have been enjoying, since Christmas and the New Year, some continual light and moderate showery, often early morning, rains and cooling south-easterly winds and breezes ~ all gratefully received.

Nature and the tropical landscape have been considerably revived. All is indeed looking refreshed with the greens vibrant once more. The growth rate in plants and grass usually soar to new heights during this intense time of year, while I myself try to stay cool and skin dry as much as I possibly can with ceiling or pedestal fans close by! The unpleasantness of Prickly heat, fungal and skin rashes are best to be avoided with all due care taken.  The best time for me to photograph 'outside' is either early morn or late afternoon and even then, more often than not, I'll end up with clothes soaked in perspiration and itchy from mozzie bites depending on the (lack of) breeze and location.

'Wild Rainbow Lorikeets Feeding ~ Innisfail, FNQ, AU.'
by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2013 Photography

About the image.
In slightly windy conditions some wild Rainbow Lorikeets were spotted (through the lens) clinging to and feeding from the very large pendular inflorescence on a well established Alexandra palm tree (Archontophoenix alexandrae).
Location ~ Innisfail, tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.
Photo Shoot Date ~ Jan.04, 2013.  Time - 18:14:11

*An 'inflorescence' is a cluster of flowers on one or a series of branches, which together make a large showy blossom.

©Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch Fine-Art and Photographic Images

Select from a range of print formats made available

at my RedBubble Gallery

"Attraction" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble

Displaying vibrantly under a canopy of leaves in the shade are pendulant bracts of striking red with yellow and green tips of the exotic tropical bloom, in the early flowering stages, of the Heliconia Rostrata (hanging red lobster claw).

The attracted iridescent blue-green beetle species is unknown.

 "Attraction" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble:

"Attraction" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography
Prints available @ Redbubble

Photo taken early November (dry season) in my home backyard garden, near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

"Welcome To My World " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble

Dynamic elements found in nature.
Always amazed at finding these wonderful structures, I've zoomed in on a shot taken of a ‘huge’ dome web glistening in sparkling sunlight, a jewel-like palace, with it’s homemaker a tiny Dome spider. Situated at the Botanic Flecker Gardens, Cairns, tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.

"Welcome To My World " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | Redbubble:

"Welcome To My World " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography
Prints on Demand available at Redbubble

"Line-Up " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

New leaf growth and branch formation of a white flowering Hong Kong Orchid Tree (Bauhinia) growing in the home garden, near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.
The tree was not in flower at the time of photo taken, Feb 14 2012.

"Line-Up " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble: 

"Line-Up" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography

It is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae or Leguminosae, commonly known as the legume, pea, or bean family.

Work featured

• Woman Photography group at RedBubble (17.02.2012)

Challenges

• I Shoot Raw – Dual Winner (with 5 votes)
  plus received Featured Artist in the group

Camera/Shoot Details
Handheld Pentax K10D 18-55mm F3.5-5.6
1/8sec @F5.6 ISO 100 FL.55mm  Date Feb.14
Raw file processed via CS2.

"Coy (Red Torch Ginger)" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

The large Red Torch Ginger is from the ‘Etlingera Ginger’ family.
Photo Location – Home garden near Innisfail, Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia.

Amidst tall green ginger stalks
And lush canopy foliage surrounds
A large exotic torch ginger flower
Nestles coyly
Saturated red pink
Multiple finger-long and waxy tongue-like curled petals
Finely outlined white-tipped edgings defined
Caressed by
Lingering rain droplets
Glistening in the dawn’s sunlight
Clinging
©2012 Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch

Coy (Red Torch Ginger) by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch Photography ©2012 | Prints available at Redbubble

Original photo taken 31Jan.2012 Time 6:40 AM

There hasn’t been many more of these flowers happening with the continual dry hot humid weather we’ve been having. Since taking this shot, Feb’s 1st-2nd week of extreme heat (reached 36 Cel inside our house one day, [meaning hotter 38-40 outside] when only forecast for 33Cel) with not one thunder storm or drenching rains in our area, the 4-5m tall blue green stem and leaves have been scorching and slowly turning more to green-yellow-brown.

In the 3rd week of Feb, 15-16th saw some reprieve finally with some heavy coastal showers at least, drenching and refreshing the thirsty landscape and cooling temp's down again.

Hope you enjoy this 'macro' version of the flower image.  I certainly never tire of seeing them growing in our large tropical garden.

Thanks for visiting.

"Luminous Jewels " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

Overnight light rain showers have refreshed the garden and first sunlight illuminates this water-kissed orange black tipped flower, Heliconia Psittacorum ‘Choconiana’ or commonly known as the Parrot’s Beak or Parakeet Flower.

Photo Location:  In my home garden, near Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

"Luminous Jewels " by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"Greeting A New Flame" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

Greeting a new flame kissed with raindrops in the early morning sunrise light. This bulbous green creeper vine plant produces many rich and vibrant flaring ‘fire-flame’ flowers. The vines grow ‘wild’ usually over all other hosting plants in the garden but only during the hot tropical summer months.

"Greeting A New Flame" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

"A New Day ~ Johnstone River, Innisfail, FNQ." by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"A New Day ~ Johnstone River, Innisfail, FNQ." by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble: 

Another Perspective

Tropical Cyclone Yasi Feb2011 - Having been directly under and through this one 'in the dark' at the physical land level, getting an overview like this rain radar, helps my visual mind to grasp things more chronologically relative to the winds/rains experienced.  This massive system passed over two weeks ago and has affected so many people's lives in so many varying degrees and vast ways.

Tropical Cyclone Yasi Rain Radar - The Weather Channel Australia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMdxBYvBvzE&feature=BF&list=ULumLMX4wKG4w&index=11
The Weather Channel's rain radar shows Tropical Cyclone Yasi crossing the coast at Mission Beach, Queensland. Heavy rainfall can be seen to the south of the cyclone's centre as it makes landfall.

One cannot forget. Everyday, whether looking out a window of home or driving to work, one is reminded constantly by the visible views of ravaged, mangled, littered and scarred landscape. All still echos the sound and feel of those constant roaring full force winds, memories resonating, vibrating through one's being. It is all still raw and surreal.

* Photo - Cyclone ravaged rainforest on Pin Gin Hill, Qld 4860

Pin Gin Hill, Palmerston Highway, Far North Queensland

Where is this - http://www.whereis.com/qld/pin-gin-hill#session=MTE


 * View of Mt. Bartle Frere and Mountain Ranges, facing North.

View of Mt. Bartle Frere and Mountain Ranges, Far North Queensland.

Photo taken from Palmerston Hwy near Pin Gin Hill, Queensland, 6.51pm, 6 Feb. 2011

We all go on, bit by bit, one day at a time, taking our experiences and lessons from this; for those of us that stay on in this tropical land, we think of ways to be better prepared safety wise for that 'next' time round. Tropical cyclones are just one dynamic part of the many cycles of life in the tropics.

Thanks for visiting