"Starting Over" Print

The artist was inspired by the Chinese Five Elements. This painting represents the element Wood, which stands for a new beginning. The morning of a new day, the strong growth of plants in spring, the energy and power when you start a new work, a new project. With these thoughts in mind, Walter Mikes prepared himself in a meditation. Then he choose the main colors and very quickly began to spread first gouache and then Chinese ink with a wooden spatula on the canvas. During the painting process the artist always has an intensive dialogue with his painting. At the beginning he does not follow a plan, does not censor or correct. The painting process begins gestural, unconscious and becomes - layer by layer - more conscious, complementary and creative. When the painting process comes to an end, the artist applies his signature - 3 golden signs. After varnishing the painting is signed on the rear side. Walter Mikes loves to use original materials and handicraft techniques. As you can see on the rear side, the painting is completely handmade. The artist himself stretches the canvas onto a wooden frame and primes it with gesso before he starts painting. It is typical for the artist that he paints very quickly wet in wet and combines different color materials like gouache and Chinese ink. The materials repel each other - as long as they are wet - and create astonishing effects.