Erythrina humeana - Dwarf Coral Tree Drawing

A lovely region in South Africa - at the foot of the verdant Amathola mountains, Eastern Cape - and the expanses of the Great Karoo were the childhood inspiration driving me to draw, model and paint. Nature's forms and vibrating colours were my first teachers. Specifically, the sculptural qualities of a bloom or plant are powerful inspirations. Given humans' exploitative tendencies towards nature, drawing artistic attention to exquisite symbols of our own, transient presence on earth becomes uniquely compelling as time passes. Aided by photographs, I portray them on canvas in translucent oil glazes or on paper in watercolour + coloured pencil technique. I love using thick, luxurious paper or very fine linen canvas from traditional European mills. Painting sizes vary from 120 x 120 cm - 30 x 30 cm. Using only organic ingredients, curing by slow air drying, the oilpaint surfaces develop a supple, elastic luminance. Varnishes are either satin/matt or dammar/glossy. My work is artisanal: a slow, careful production of timeless heirloom pieces. Contact me for bespoke flower portrait quotations (sizes to order). www.sallyarnold.com www.sudafricana.com