Elaine Thomas
Palimpsest
paintings 2002-2004

Furies 2002, watercolour on paper, 50 x 65 cm

Follow my leader 2003, watercolour on paper, 47 x 64 cm

Fall from grace 2003, watercolour on paper, 51 x 63 cm

Fall from grace (Detail) 2003, watercolour on paper, 51 x 63 cm

Suspended animation 2002, watercolour on paper, 46 x 64 cm

Work produced in 2002, 2003 and 2004 shows further progress in the exploration of stance and process. This work uses watercolour and seeks to employ it as a means of drawing upon the imagination by building up layers of marks, shapes and forms, some of which remain evident in the final paintings. In this respect the medium is used differently from the traditional approach to watercolour whereby changes are not easily effected.

Harpies 2003, watercolour on paper, 45 x 63 cm


Tumblers 2002, watercolour on paper, 51 x 34 cm


Tumblers (Detail) 2002, watercolour on paper, 51 x 34 cm

Supplicant 2003, watercolour on paper, 46 x 64 cm

Heavenly bodies 2002, watercolour on paper, 47 x 64 cm

Heavenly bodies (Detail) 2002, watercolour on paper, 47 x 64 cm


Instead, the surface of the paintings has often been worked on heavily as images have been rubbed out and reworked, thereby involving both discovery and recovery. This work is strongly influenced by Romanesque painting, in both style and content, including deliberate references to architectural features and surfaces as well as use of angels and demons. The harpies, sirens and mythological creatures which populate Greek sculpture are also in evidence.


Keeping up appearances 2003, watercolour on paper, 65 x 45 cm

Overture 2004, watercolour on paper, 47 x 64 cm

Angel Delight 2003, watercolour on paper, 50.5 x 66 cm

Angel Delight (Detail) 2003, watercolour on paper, 50.5 x 66 cm

Careering Bosses 2002, watercolour on paper, 50 x 66 cm

Fracture 2003, watercolour on paper, 48.5 x 58 cm