Thin As Paper - Rough As Rock
Thin As Paper - Rough As Rock
Pigments, graphite frottage of tree bark, oil paint, enamel, marble dust, wax, glitter, found tree branches, bark, lichen and cut out wood shapes on canvas.
125×131×7cm, 2025
Thin As Paper - Rough As Rock” - my latest large painting. The title refers to the tactile qualities of silver birch bark – a combination of paper-thin, flaky layers in some areas, and deep, rugged grooves in others. These contrasting textures are formed over time by growth and exposure to the elements.
This artwork explores the relationship between human touch and natural forms through an extended painting that merges traditional materials with elements from the forest. Inspired by the textures and patterns of birch bark, it combines gestural oil paint, frottage technique, and found tree branches, which physically extend beyond the canvas. The irregular wooden shapes attached to the edges blur the boundary between painting and object. By bringing together natural materials and human-made marks, the work reflects on a meeting point between organic marks and artistic gesture.