MELINDA BLAIR PATERSON
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2013  |  works on paper - bali retreat  |  selected works
fern leaf drawings on watercolour paper

fern-green-01-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern green #1 2013, pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper, 13x18 cms
fern-abstract-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern abstract 2013, pen and watercolour on watercolour paper, 15x20 cms
fern-emerald-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern emerald 2013, pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper, 15x20 cms
fern-blue-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern blue 2013, pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper, 15x20 cms
fern-pink-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern pink 2013, pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper, 15x20 cms
fern-peace-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern peace 2013, pencil, watercolour & indigo dye on watercolour paper, 13x18 cms
fern-aqua-01-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern aqua 2013, pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper, 15x20 cms
fern-green-02-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern green #2 2013, pencil and watercolour on watercolour paper, 13x18 cms
fern-indigo-landscape-Melinda-Blair-Paterson-2013
fern indigo landscape 2013, pen, pencil, watercolour & indigo dye on watercolour paper, 15x20 cms
I was gifted a housesit in Ubud, Bali and found myself in a somewhat isolated location tending to the needs of two erratic cats whilst trying to recover from the murmurings of Bali Belly.  I decided to spend each morning wandering the lush tropical garden, taking photos of the beautiful plants, and then retreated to the upstairs balcony to paint and draw.

​I became fascinated by the decay of the garden's ferns creating incredible patterns of such delicate and fine structure. They seemed to become a metaphor for the 'cycle of life' so apparent in this lush and yet fragile piece of paradise I had been dropped into. I experimented with a number of different pens and pencils and plunged into watercolours with the zeal of a child. It became a playful delight and great distraction from the unwell feelings that were having their way with my body.  

After two weeks I decided to move into central Ubud, to a family homestay in Jalan Goutama. It was in this street that I met a young Balinese artist that was involved in the dyeing of fabric in a beautiful organic deep indigo. He was kind enough to give me some dye to play with, adding to the already experimental use of pens, pencils and watercolours.  I found Ubud so full of creative expression it was overwhelmingly inspiring. Apparently there is no word for 'artist' in Balinese as creative expression is part of their everyday life. What a wonderful way to live.
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Byron Bay   NSW   Australia
melindablairpaterson@gmail.com
All images copyright of the artist  ©  2010-2022
  • work
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2017-2018
    • 2016-2017
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • about
    • bio
    • exhibitions & cv
    • artist talk
  • contact