Deborah Crofts

“Fragile Life I” - Ink on Handmade Paper | “Fragile Life II” - Ink & Charcoal on Handmade Paper

The title of this artwork alludes to both the fragility of the materials used, life and the ecosystem. The artworks were created by pressing seaweed, collected from the Warren in Folkestone, into damp handmade paper to create embossed shapes; with some transference of colour onto the paper. Later these areas were painted into with walnut and gold inks, plus the addition of charcoal brushed over to reveal the texture of the paper in II. The paper itself was made by the artist in an earlier project using recycled and unwanted computer printouts.

“Golden Seaweed” - Watercolour, Gouache & Handmade Paper on Canvas | “Seaweed Tree" - Watercolour, Gouache & Handmade Paper on Canvas

In acts of 'spontaneous painting' (unplanned and experimental), both these artworks used selected seaweeds from the Warren in Folkestone as tools to print onto handmade paper with watercolours and gouache paints. The marks created are truly organic shapes that are recognisable as seaweed but at the same time seem reminiscent of other organic life-forms. Gold gouache paint was added to one to accentuate its shapes whilst the other left with a plain background; the suggestion of a tree was unintentional but the viewer may well see other shapes or forms within these artworks.

“Fungi Troop Line” - Ink on and Gum Arabic Canvas

The theme of a fungi and tree network within forests or the Wood Wide Web i.e. where fungi and trees communicate with each other, has been of ongoing fascination to Deborah for the last three years. In this painting watercolour was mixed with gum arabic to create an expressive idea of mycorrhizal fungi reaching below ground to receptive tree roots. The title alluding to the battles that nature undergoes in the inherent desire to prosper.

“Tree from Below” - Watercolour, Ink & Collage on Paper

Another unplanned artwork with the only decision at the outset to use collaged tissue paper with watercolour paint and to create some sort of imagined tree. As the work progressed the branches were added using a pipette to paint with and layers of colour applied over the tissue that became more wood-like as the piece developed.

“Meditation on Seaweed” - Ink on Canvas

Acts of 'spontaneous painting' (unplanned and experimental) artworks where the shapes and forms were created whilst taking inspiration from seaweeds. The painting was revisited more than once after it had dried with extra layers and gum arabic added later.

“Tree with Gold”- Watercolour, Ink, Gouache & Handmade Paper on Canvas

An imagined tree form using watercolour, waterproof ink and gouache over handmade paper on canvas. Later gold ink was added to the background and then varnished to both protect its surface but also to bring out the colours and lines on the trunk of the tree.