Current Experiments and Expressions

At any particular time I usually have to put in time and effort to clear space on my studio table. I am always surrounded by unfinished works (it's a curse!), experiments, natural materials from a recent walk or the garden, notes, quick sketches, and other bits that contribute to the chaos in my studio. Often I have gems hiding in unexpected corners because of this, and sometimes I am able to group together things that really work well together. Here's a selection of some of the many things that are currently occupying surface space in the studio:

A beautiful richly-coloured soil from the garden. I have no idea what I would like to do with it, I might end up making it finer with my mortar-and-pestle, and taking a photo of it strewn onto a piece of glass - then using the photo in the Nuances work I am currently working on. 

Some abstract sketches, possibly in preparation of some of the bigger works for my exhibition:

More bits of 'work in progress'

One of the pieces of seaweed from my recent Gordon's Bay sessions, now stitched onto paper with brown thread:

Detail from a large mixed media artwork in progress:

Expressing the almost unexpressable

Communication

Janet Botes

Ink and coffee on fine art paper

420 x 297mm (unframed)

2014

R450

My abstract works generally diverge from the overall environmental focus of my work. These works are rather more personal, inspired by emotional responses to life events or circumstances, especially in times of change. Created in a style in line with Abstract Expressionism and Surrealism, relying on automatism - a very spontaneous, free or automatic approach that aims to express the creative force of the unconscious. 

Equilibrium

Janet Botes

Beetroot juice and ink on fine art paper

594 x 420mm (unframed)

2014

R800

Made to represent my first seven days after moving out of Cape Town City, the artwork expresses the emotional turmoil and challenges in adapting to a new environment. The cellular shapes also relates to the seven chakras of the human body - signifying the importance of groundedness and connection to our own body and energy in our wellbeing - physical as well as psychologically. Within those first days of a new life in a new place I maintained sanity or equilibrium through exercise and religiously healthy eating. 

Contrast

 

These small artworks were created using scraperboard as medium and technique - a layer of black sits on top of the white backing, and is scratched away to reveal the white. They are available for sale from Studio 46 in Bloubergstrand, Western Cape.

Ink doodles

Some experimental ink works in preparation of new works on paper.

What will tomorrow bring?

"what will tomorrow bring

if not more change

what will we choose to believe

when there is only our own truth to behold

what will you do

when life proves to exist for love and compassion only

and what will happen

when things change more than you can even imagine now"

"Peinsend oor More"

Coffee and pencil on paper.

280 x 210mm