This next artwork came along as a surprise … Husband took Kidlet out for a few hours yesterday (oh – the bliss of having a house to myself!), when I started playing with paint and different technique ideas.

I began using rock salt and vintage lace to suck up some coloured inks off a board surface.

All the while I had a song in my head, “It’s The Climb”, so I decided to head in that direction and make an artwork about these song words, resonating with me.

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

{ The Climb - Miley Cyrus }

I created some mountains, cut leaf-shaped fabric pieces and played with some printed papers in the composition. The lace technique worked prettily on the surface. From there, I built it like a building, brick by brick. It seemed to emerge beautifully, a feeling which flowed straight from the centre of my tummy.

Can you see the little tracks going up the mountain? They are ladders, leading me up as I make climb. From there, all it took was some fine details and colour accents.

 

To me, there are elements of letting go, travelling, emerging, conception, newness, fear and happiness, all of which I greet as my eye travels around the painting. It’s often not until after a painting is complete that I find little messages and insights in them, like this one.

‘The Climb’ Vintage fabric, Japanese printed papers, acrylic, copic markers and metallic pen on board. © Chrissy Foreman Cranitch. 2012

I’m really happy with how it has turned out, I’m thinking I’ll add some prints to my shop sometime soon.