Exploring the mother as a symbol- Painting on a different surface

Following on from my Research in to the artist Arquer Buigas, I came across more of his works where he painted some of his images on paint palettes. I have found no specific reasoning for his doing this, however I have been completely inspired by the idea of drawing/paintings on such an unusual surface.

Since painting the small painting of my sister and her nephew in acrylic in response to Arquer Buigas, I have found it increasingly difficult to draw and paint the mother as well as the child. I find it easier to draw the features of the child compared to the human face. Consequently, this technique of drawings on a different surface has given me an idea. What if I can use the surface on which I draw to act as a symbol of the mother?

Arquer Buigas chooses to paint on paint pallets. This is an interesting idea of uniting both paintings and paint together on the same surface. The fact that you mix paint on the same surface as which you draw the paintings is intriguing. I have never seen this done before. I have produced an artist research page for this technique in the shape of a palette made from cardboard. I have also taken inspiration from the duck egg green which Buigas has used as a based colour on which to paint on these pallets. this colour really emphasises his paintings and in particular titanium white.

In response to the artist I have come up with the idea of painting on my own unusual surface. I have chosen to paint on a surface which will act as a symbol for the mother. Consequently, I shall draw the child on top of this surface and the mother and child will be united as one but just in a different form. I have chosen to paint on top of a chopping board in response. My reasoning for painting on top of a chopping board is because whenever I think of one, I can always visualise my mother chopping the vegetable or preparing dinner on one. It a very motherly object which you will find in nearly every kitchen. This is something which I would associate with my own mother. Therefore, I have chosen to paint the hands of a child on top of this board. Resultantly, the mother in symbol form is surrounding the child, protecting it.

I chose not to prime the board before paintings on it because I wanted the paint to soak through and connect with the wood, like a child connecting to its mother. I also chose to draw the hand of the child and not its face or feet because you associate a chopping board with hand when you are preparing food. You need your hands to do so. I have chosen to paint these hands in acrylic. Using a selection of colours which I have taken inspiration from Buigas. I have practiced with the emphasis between light and dark which in artistic terms is known as a technique called chiaroscuro. Because these hand were on a relatively small scale, it meant achieving the fine details was often difficult. therefore once dry I worked back into them using coloured soft pencil crayons.

These images show the close ups of the hands which were painted on top of the board. I have focused on varying compositions in order to depict the flexibility of the child.

Following on from this idea, I aim to use more symbolism in my work rather than drawing or painting the mother in physical/human form. Instead I will use a variety of symbols to depict her presence.