Some of these sketches were inspired by aboriginal art that I've seen in didgeridoos (aboriginal musical windpipe instruments) and body paintings. I've seen heaps of cultural festivals with exotic dancers from different indigenous tribes...and wow! Their native costumes and body paintings are extremely creative. So I think of their tattoos and white patterns of body painting when I adapt a tribal style composition or rustic drawings. My compositions come from keen observation and appreciation of their authentic live performances.

 

The didgeridoos alone are so organic and artistic with carvings and paintings---as they had always been decorated for centuries. Some depict desert sand paintings, rock art, mosaics and bark paintings. Others tell of stories from seaside tribes and exotic islanders. Many more depict canoes and picturesque hunters and fishermen.

 

Tribal Art Deco and Animalier

 

I use Animalier (a French) term to describe art deco-esque animal art and stylization. It applies to both painting and sculpture.

Contemporary art borrows from cultural influences that are rich in tradition and meaning (like ancient Egyptian art or African sculpture). I spend time to study them to capture their exoticism, and I try to portray them and interpret them through my own contemporary/modern eyes. Tribal art and island art present wild platforms for digital painting. It's a giant leap from primitive and natural media. Notice how I maintain a handpainted effect with my tablet and stylus.

With flat decorative aboriginal symbols, icons and animalier, I might only suggest the three dimensional form by twisting and turning the patterns as they embellish the human body. I used animalier in painting the two serpents that are coiled around his spear. The handwritten annotations are motifs to guide me as I compose...and also, that's how some of the puzzle clues are revealed ;-)

Here, I used the aboriginal rainbow serpent motif to depict this rustic man's eye and eyebrow. The kangaroo adorns his lower jaw. I've unified these mystical symbols and spiritual nature with Australian animalier. The partial list of aboriginal iconography next to the painting below is by no means complete nor exhaustive. The symbols and motifs are simply there for the sketch... and treasure hunts. There will be more to explore as I unveil new body paintings, X-ray art and exotic stories.

                                               

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