MELINDA BLAIR PATERSON
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2020  |  penitusque terral (latin: deep within land)
abstract mixed media art on vintage paper

Art for Sale
i est - I exist 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
penitusque terral - deep within land 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
in terra #1 - in land #1 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
in terra #2 - in land #2 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
altus - deep down 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
de terra #1 - of land #1 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
de terra #2 - of land #2 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
imos - deep land 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
petram - rock 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
silentium terra - land of silence 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
solarium terra - land of solace 2020 mixed media on vintage paper 21x28cms
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 background mono prints, to which I added collage using plant dyed paper and cotton thread, and found objects. I titled the work - Penitusque Terram - which in latin means - deep within land.

I also found myself inspired to write this prose from my contemplation and experience of sitting in the bushland of the Simpson Creek at Brunswick Heads in Northern NSW, Australia, near where I live.

Deep within Land

Bright green cottonwoods
Tall white lanky gums
Popping yellow wattle sits on the bank
Whilst fringed large ferns look on

Blackedned Banksias tumble in
To the slow dark quiet water
Only a distant rumble of surf
Ovelaid by a copious variety of bird song
reaches out

The wind casually breezes through
Fluttering wind chimes of gum leaves
That seem effortlessly chilled and in tune
as if to say 

Just stay, hang, let the mind wander,
Feel the earth beneath your feet
Burrow into the warm sand
Lay back, and let it have you

Let the earth and sky have you
Let the birds and trees have you
Let the dark quiet water have you
And rest - deep within land.

(September 2020)
  
All works are on vintage paper, mixed media of mono printing, collage, found objects and plant dyed paper and cotton thread, 21x28cms.

A limited number of this series are now available online through Bluethumb Art Gallery.
Bluethumb Art Gallery
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Byron Bay   NSW   Australia
melindablairpaterson@gmail.com
All images copyright of the artist  ©  2010-2021
  • work
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2017-2018
    • 2016-2017
    • 2014
    • 2013
    • 2012
    • 2011
    • 2010
  • about
    • bio
    • exhibitions
    • artist talk
  • contact