Frog Art - Dinner Date & Two Bee or Not To Be.

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1st image Title: "Two Bee Or Not To Be"
One of the small Tree Frogs that frequent my back yard, sneakily manoeuvring around the branch of a flowering gum tree where two bees happily go about their business. The warm colours of the frog and branch emphasised with the cooling colours and shade of the gum leaves. The different surface qualities of the tough flat leaves, the delicate detailed flowers and the soft live flesh of the frog create interesting contrasts. The title "Two Bees Or Not To Be" add a touch of amusement and engages the viewer in an imaginary story line. The suggested movement captured within the pose of the frog confirms that a possible story is about to unfold.

2nd image Title: "Dinner Date"
This is one of the small Tree Frogs that frequent my back yard, boldly suspended from a flowering gum tree, and happily offering a resting spot for a tired lacewing. The warm skin colours of the frog are emphasised with the cooling colours and shade of the gum leaves. The title "Dinner Date" add a touch of amusement and engages the viewer in an imaginary story line.

In the mythology of many cultures frogs are linked to cleansing, healing and creative powers. The change from egg to tadpole then metamorphosis to frog is often used to symbolise the awakening of ones creativity and recognising one's own power of adaptation. A frog is a symbolic reminder of our own ability to grow and mature when faced with difficult situations. A strong frog population is an indication of a healthy ecology due to their sensitivity to changes and toxins in their environment. Frogs therefore are naturally symbols of a peaceful, harmonious coexistence and interdependence with nature. Frogs because of this sensitivity serve as a strong lesson about our own interdependence within a fragile eco-system. Teaching a connection with the earth and everything on it. Sadly numbers of frogs now seem to be dwindling.

Folk wisdom tells that dreaming of a frog means
good fortune, happiness and great friendships.
May your dreams be filled with frogs...

Both artworks are original wildlife illustrations by Contemporary Australian artist Di Mathews aka Diavma. Art and Text are Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010.

Jewellery making

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A slight detour from my usual art.

During this last year I have been teaching myself how to make chainmaille jewellery. The first image is a bronze and blue byzantine bracelet. The second example is an orange, blue, bronze and green box weave bracelet with a copper flower toggle. I've also been making some interesting little mandala pendants using the same type of jump-rings. Some of my first experiments were creating chainmaille ACEO (art collector cards). If you check my current eBay listings for Diavma, you might find a few listed.

Australian bush dreaming ART

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The Australian environment offers artistic potential for exploration of exciting textures and colours.

When I enter the bush I tend to be on the lookout for insect species or new plants or exciting textures to photograph, so I wanted to create Australian landscape artworks that reflected my personal experiences.

Rather than recreate the local scenery I wanted to express an intimate approach to nature. I attempted to create artistic abstracts that remain fresh and alive capturing the essence of the lush bushland of the east coast. The detailed suggestions of texture echoing the dappled light that sneaks through the canopy of the eucalypt forest in the Australian bush. Each artwork in the series contains Australian insects camouflaging themselves within the abstractions of colour and light.

The title of the series is "Bush Dreaming"
These images are 4 out of a series of 9 that I have just completed. They are examples of digital landscape art by Australian contemporary artist Di Mathews, aka Diavma. Copyright belongs at all times to Hexagonal Mandala 2010. They are currently available for sale on 100% cotton, archival, acid free paper, size 16x12 inch = 30x42cm.