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.

"Multistory Shadow-Patterned Facade" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

An unexpected encounter with the Shadow Muse!

"Multistory Shadow-Patterned Facade" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

"Multistory Shadow-Patterned Facade" Photography by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012

I just had to go and grab my camera when I saw these strong contrast shadow patterns being cast/projected onto the tall multi-storey vertical wall one tropical winter’s June mid-afternoon.
Where? Behind my work place in Innisfail, Far North Queensland, Australia.

Building Information
Built between 2007-2009, this is Innisfail’s first Council approved (and last, so ‘the officials’ say) 6 multi-storey units building in a contemporary Art Deco style. It is positioned along the Innisfail Esplanade next to the Johnstone River.  It’s been reported that the building already has a small 5-6 degree angle lean, due to it’s proximity with the river bank that floods every wet season.

Then of course there is the whole psychological realm dealing with Shadow (psychology)
where the ground opens up to explore the shadow muse in the underworld!!! (Maybe best left for another time!)

 

 Framed print examples.

 Thanks for visiting.

"Dividing Line ~ Twilight Zone" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

Silhouetted against the twilight sky on a glorious tropical winter’s June evening is the well known landmark Broken Nose (on the right) – at the southern end of the range of Mt. Bartle Frere, Queensland’s highest mountain – along with many other hill lines while looking towards the Tablelands. A solitary rural home light shines out in the dark (seen further below the Broken Nose point). 

"Dividing Line ~ Twilight Zone" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

"Dividing Line ~ Twilight Zone" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch ©2012 Photography

Photo shot was taken from Belvedere, near Innisfail in Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia, approx. four months after Cyclone Yasi had passed through.

***If you look closely along the dividing line you’ll see it has a ‘spiky’ texture and is not smooth. This is evidence of all the stripped trees caused by the extreme forces of the cat.5 cyclonic winds!
(Best viewed large at RedBubble).

Thanks for visiting.

"Arisen ~ Pink Water Lily" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"Arisen ~ Pink Water Lily" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

A pink water lily bloom grown in our home backyard pond, near Innisfail, Tropical Far North Queensland, Australia. Photo taken early tropical morn April 6.59am.

'Arisen ~ Pink Water Lily'
©2012 Tropical Photography by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch 

The lily blooms are an infrequent occurrence ~ my guessing is it's due to not enough sun/sunlight due to the pond's sheltered position.

Work has been featured in The Tropical Zone RedBubble group (01.06.2012)
 

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

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

"Scorcher On the Rise, Innisfail, Far North Queensland" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble

"Scorcher On the Rise, Innisfail, Far North Queensland" by Kerryn Madsen-Pietsch | RedBubble:

2010 Dec.01 - Stormy Evening Skylines, Art Deco - Innisfail, Far North Qld.

I’ve been learning about, while creatively playing around with, a recently acquired software program, Photoshop Elements 6, that came with equipment I recently purchased.
This is my first video slideshow 2010 Dec.01 – Stormy Skylines, Art Deco – Innisfail with ‘untouched’ photos taken on dusk in the town where I work. I’ve captured several of the Art-Deco buildings in Rankin St., set against some dramatic and distinct stormy weather pattern changes, being experienced in this year’s tropical wet seaon in Far North Queensland.  Photo shoot time was between 6.32pm - 7.06 pm.


The town finally does look beautiful ‘now’. It is because it’s taken four hard long years of building renovation and restoration work that’s been going on since we got ‘Larried’, ie. Cyclone Larry, a category 5/4, blew in back in early am. of 20th March 2006!  Prior to that there was little pride or recognition being taken of the enormous amount of actual Art Deco architecture in the town which originally came about after the town’s literal destruction back in 1918 by another devastating Cyclone.


Thanks to a few amazing perservering ladies in this town who formed the Art Deco in the Tropics, Innisfail Inc. society back in 2002, the scenario has completely changed and given the town ‘a new focus’!