Fundamentum

Let’s swing!

Fundamentum is a square abstract painting created by using a series of pendulum swings. This pendulum technique is a relatively simple one – you take a small paint bucket and put a hole in the bottom, fill it with paint and attach it to a length of rope. Easy right?

Well, yes and no. Set up is relatively straightforward but figuring out what different kinds of rotation do can prove to be tricky, so like anything, practice is key. In this painting there are three separate rotations on top of each other. Each one is different from the next.

Buildng layers

The first application was just black on its own and was actaully applied whilst rotating the canvas in an anti clockwise direction using my electric powered spin table. What this did was to give a base of loops that radiated from the centre. This method underpins the feeling of movement outwards and is acheieved by conecntrating the initial swing to a narrow band.

The next layer was a mixture of metallic gold and black and was applied in a generous circula rmotion whilst the spin table was again rotating. This formed the circular patterns you can see moving towards the centre. Finally, the last layer is the single black colour which culminates in the dense spiral shape thats formed as the pendulum and pot slow down and concenrate their movements to a smaller and smaller area.

The finished painting

The reult of this effort is a stunning finish that not only draws you in but has an infinite number of complex pathways and intersections. It feels very mathmatical and regular in many ways yet still retains that feeling of randmoness. And, very much like the colour choices, it’s a painting symbolizing the extremes of light and dark.

The gold however, is the inspired bit. It’s the bridge between the two and, in certain lighting conditions and viewing angles, literally lights up like a Christmas tree! It is sublime and compelling and provides depth in ways you cannot capture in a photograph.

Does it fit into your life? Yes – any colour scheme, any decor, and room size. No problem. Send me some photos and I’ll render the painting into it and show you.

The outcome

The result of all of this effort is a painting that delivers on every level. Its bold and bright whilst also being deep and thoughtful. it has rivers of paint everywhere, it has texture it has detail and it has impact. Whatever space this occupies it absolutely owns it – and in a good way! it’s ability to fit in is quite remarkable and that’s down to the combination of colors. Its earthy, natural side helps keep it grounded whilst the energetic and playful side keeps your eyes entertained endlessly.

Add a coupe of spotlights however and the painting reaches even higher levels of intrigue as the metallics start to pop. The nuances of color also begin to show as well as the incredible levels of detail. It’s hard for me to sound objective because I painted it and I love it but I assure you that this is an absolute belter of an artwork.

Hanging options

You may have noticed that I have shown it hung in different orientations on the photographs and that’s because you can hang this in any way you want – even as a diamond. The painting feels different each time you rotate it so you can change the dynamic at any given point to suit your mood or taste.

So if you’re looking for a conversation piece or something to fill up that large empty wall space you have then this would be an excellent place to start. Oh, and it’s also named after the seminal album by Joy Division in case you’re wondering…