MELINDA BLAIR PATERSON - MELINDA BLAIR PATERSON | Byron Bay Abstract Artist

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A New Direction

In the middle of COVID and 2020 I found myself in the unusual circumstances of being homeless. The Byron Shire, in which I have lived and rented for 20 years, was seized upon by panic buying and renting of real estate by city folks, all looking for a quick sea-change and release from the constant major city lockdowns along Australia's eastern seaboard.

With deep gratitude I was introduced by a mutual friend to a little AirBnB in the Byron Hinterland owned by a fellow artist. It was here I sheltered for some months contemplating, waiting and praying for a new home. It was also here, I was invited into my host's studio to play with clay, which has subsequently changed my direction as an artist.

For now the paints and brushes have been packed away and replaced with bags of clay and a whole lot of learning. After some 16 years as a painter I am finding ceramics is like starting all over again. In time I will share some of my creations here on this website, and maybe even be brave enough to offer them for sale. Let's see where the journey takes me. (January 2021)

You can follow my learning and making on my instagram account.

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i est - I exist

Penitusque Terram
(Latin: Deep within Land)

In 2020, amongst COVID restrictions, I found myself immersed in a much needed reprieve and inspiring art course 'Breath the Land' at my local Community College. The focus was 'art from contemplation of the land', whereby we would walk in silence through bushland in the mornings taking photos, sketching and meditating; before returning to the studio for an afternoon's art practice including mono printing, plant dyed papers (from locally gathered bush flora) and collage.

At the time I was homeless and very much seeking a permanent home. With all the uncertainty of COVID I was more than ever aware of a need for stability and a secure roof over my head for at least a couple of years. I was also feeling a call to return to the land, as though I wanted to sink into it, dive deep into it, and rest.

From my daily contemplations and this calling I created a small series of mono prints, collage and found objects called - Penitusque Terram - which in latin means - deep within land. (September 2020)

All works are 21x28cms, vintage paper, and mix media. Some works include found objects and plant dyed cotton thread. All works are unframed. A few pieces from this series are now available online through Bluethumb Art Gallery.

View the work

Bluethumb Art Gallery

mbp

When I come to create I often fall into a quiet contemplation and meditative space, and in that, my mind will often simply surrender to the deeper presence of silence, stillness and spaciousness.

It is here that I wait for the intention, the vision, or the inference of the ‘next step’ of my art practice.

Over the last few years I have learned the value of slow, quiet and simple; and how these can inform and enrich my work.

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