Elaine Thomas
Divine Antics on Paper
paintings 2012

The Annunciation 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm

Ladies in Waiting 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Forbidden Fruit 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Forbidden Fruit (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
The Match 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
The Visitation 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
The Fall 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
The Fall (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Banished 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm

These works use both acrylic paint and watercolour on strong stretched paper. The acrylic is applied roughly to create a ground which is then washed away to create effects reminiscent of ancient frescoes, with eroded surfaces, which are textured and evocative. Watercolour is then used to create images, inspired by the surface, which suggest narratives, relationships and behaviours.

Crossply 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Courtship Display 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Courtship Display (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Metamorph 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
In Denial 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
In Denial 2012 (Detail), watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm

The resulting paintings and their titles call upon the biblical, the pagan and the mythological, as figures posture and pose, intermingle and interact in choreographed compositions and encounters. Many influences come together in these works, informed by visits to ancient Indian Temples, Italian " Rupestri " ( cave frescoes ) in Basilicata, Synopie in Pisa and visits to Greek and Roman Sculptures in Rome's National Museums.

Lamentation 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Lamentation (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm

Heavenly Host 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Limbo 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Tumult 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Tumult (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Cavort 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Snake in the Grass 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Snake in the Grass (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
Mayhem 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
The Adoration 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm
The Adoration (Detail) 2012, watercolour and acrylic on paper, 34 x 51 cm