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.

BIRD - Cockatoo Art

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These are sulphur Crested Cockatoos, a digital painting by Contemporary Australian Artist Di Mathews aka Diavma, This example of wildlife illustration is Copyright Hexagonal Mandala. Cockies are an Australian bird, they make great pets.

Green tree frog in Australian Wildflowers

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Green tree frog in Australian wildflowers is my latest 3D art. Image by Di Mathews aka Diavma, Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010. I enjoyed modelling the native blooms, These are flowers native to the east coast of Australia. My mischievous little frog peeps through the foliage. This botanical and frog artwork is available for sale as a 12x16 inch print on archival art paper.

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

3D digital art - botanical flowers

Left click image to enlarge

Digital art by Contemporary Australian Artist Di Mathews aka Diavma, copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010. These 2 images are created by sculpting the forms directly into 3D virtual space within the computer. The models are my own creation, sculpted from live plant specimens from my garden. The finished artworks are available as 12x16 inch archival prints, on 240gm, 100% cotton paper. These will be part of my series of botanical studies. The first image is a Coleus in flower (actually 3 differnt varieties of the plant) and the second is a pink geranium. Both plants are easy to grow and require very little looking after as Im not much interested in gardening.

Australian frog artworks

Title: Tree Frog
Title: Kerfersteins tree frog
Title: Rocket frog (Litoria Nasuta)
Title: Striped Burrowing Frog (Litoria alboguttata)

Title: Freen Tree Frog

Left Click images to see larger versions

Each of these Australian frog artwork images is from a series of Frog illustrations by Australian contemporary artist Di Mathews aka Diavma. Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010. The frog artwork is created by digital painting directly onto a computer using a pressure sensitive electronic pen and a digital drawing board. The resulting artwork is available on 240gm, 100% cotton, acid free, archival artist paper. More from this series can be seen in earlier uploads.

Ladybird and Rose Artwork

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Title: Roses and Ladybird" by Contemporary Australian Artist Di Mathews / aka Diavma. This image is the newest from a series of botanical studies. The roses are digital 3D models based on live specimens from my yard. The ones I have growing are white roses but I decided for this render to add colour. The Ladybird is also my original model. It reminds me of the paintings you see on biscuit tins and chocolate boxes, ideal I guess since it is only a week or so to Valentines day.

Frogs in magnolia artwork

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This render is one of todays artworks. Titled "Frogs on Magnolia", by Artist Di Mathews, Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010.

The flowers are modeled from a tree that grows 2 doors down from my house. Im always amazed at magnolias in bloom, all flower and stem with no leaves makes them look magical. I decided to emphasise the pinkness of the flo9wer by placing it in dusk lighting, whispy pink clouds, etc....

Blue Triangle Butterfly Artworks

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This butterfly (Graphium Sarpedon Choredon) is commonly known as a Blue Triangle Butterfly, because its wing colour is black to dark brown with blue areas which joins to make a triangle. The females and males look almost the same, but when you look carefully you can see that the male has a fringe of scent-bearing hairs along the inner edges of his hind wings which he uses it to disperse scent to the female.

Butterflies are instantly familiar and universally popular. They do not bite, sting, carry disease or (in adult form) do any serious damage. Butterflies are considered the jewel of creation and are popular among collectors. They are the symbol of the souls immortality that physical death does not destroy, and in their pleasing, fluttering flight they are associated with Eros the god of love.

These first three images are by Contemporary Australian artist Di Mathews aka Diavma. Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010. They are digital 3D rendered artwork showing the Graphium Sarpedon Choredon on various species of eucalyptus. The background textures echo the textures of local trees, creating three works which are very native to my area of the world. All of the digital models used are my own original sculpted 3D meshes.

All three artworks are presented on one sheet of high quality art paper, creating a tryptich to be framed as one unit.

This image of the Blue Triangle Butterfly (Graphium Sarpedon Choredon) differs from the previous three. While it shows the same species as the 3 images above, the artwork is executed in a different manner. It is hand painted using a pressure sensitive electronic pen and a digital graphics tablet. This sort of approach to image making is the same as traditional painting and drawing techniques, only the drawing tool translates it directly onto a computer rather than a paper or canvas surface. Each stroke of the artists hand is recorded and its sensitivity to the pressure applied with each pen stroke dictates the breadth and intensity of the line it creates.

Owl ACEO Art

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Two owl ACEO (artist original collector cards). Created by digital painting with electronic pen. Each card measures 2.5x3.5 inch. Painted by Di Mathews aka Diavma. Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010.

Australian Bush Rat - Rattus fuscipes

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Australian Bush Rat - Rattus fuscipes (aka Bogul). These are painted portraits of a resident of our yard, we have had a breeding pair for a few years. While they have had residence in tunnels under our tadpole pond we have not had any mice or rats come into our house. Prior to these we would get rodents come in off the nearby farms, gnawing their way through our house each winter. We place bird seed out for them every night. And just on dusk we get to see them scamper out of the bushes with their latest batch of youngens for a feed.

These Hexagonal Mandala images are approx 12x16inches on 100% cotton archival artist paper.

More info on Bush rats

Australian Tree Frog artwork

Title: Northern River Frog
Title: Green Tree Frog
Title: Bleating Tree Frog
Title: Eastern Dwarf Tree Frog
Title: Southern Bell Tree Frog

Left Click images to see larger versions

Each of these Australian frog artwork images is from a series of Frog illustrations by Australian contemporary artist Di Mathews aka Diavma. Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2010. The frog artwork is created by digital painting directly onto a computer using a pressure sensitive electronic pen and a digital drawing board. The resulting artwork is available on 240gm, 100% cotton, acid free, archival artist paper.

3D digital art - Original botanical studies

(click on image to see larger versions)

Artworks of floral arrangements need to capture the life within the subject matter. They lend themselves to fluid line, organic shape and a wonderful selection of colour. All of the frangipani, roses and native Aussie banksia, gum tree and wattle featured in this series are modelled from live specimens. Attention is paid to the structure of the blooms and how they grow. These 3 images are from a series of digitally produced artworks on the theme of the botanical studies. They are all sculpted by myself in virtual 3D space. To do this, points and changes in direction of surface planes are plotted in 3D virtual space within the computer, creating a 3D representation of the blooms structure that can be rotated and viewed from any angle within the computer. A combination of photographic and hand painted textures are applied to surface of these constructed models. The textured models are then arranged in a composition with various surface qualities assigned to each of the parts. Lighting effects similar to a traditional photo-studio work are applied to these compositions which are then render as 2D images. The rendered images are often touched-up by hand prior to printing. These models used and the resulting images are originals by artist Di Mathews (aka - Diavma - Hexagonal Mandala). The images are subject to copyright. Printed archival images are available for purchase.

Quick Sketch of flight

Im still fascinated and challenged by the idea of capturing flight in an image. I've done a lot of observing and photographing, I guess the next step is to get some quick sketches done. This is the first attempt.

Cicada Illustrations

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"Cherry Nose Cicada" and "Empty Nymphal Case" are two illustrations by Australian contemporary artist Di Mathews (aka: Diavma) Copyright Hexagonal Mandala Australia. Both images are hand painted using a pressure sensitive pen and digital drawing tablet and are presented on 30x42cm = 12x16inch museum quality artist paper.

There are approximately 200 species of cicada in Australia. Cicadas are harmless sap suckers who are famous for their loud shrilling song. They lay eggs within slits that they create in twigs and branches of trees. When the eggs hatch the nymphs fall to the ground and burrows down among the roots. Some species stay underground for up to 17 years before emerging to shed its nymphal case. Once shed it is an adult with wings. An adult lives for only a week or two. Although they are particularly large insects, they are often unseen, positioning themselves high in trees. Their empty larval cases are often seen around lower parts of trees and ground and are often collected by children. This is an illustration of a vacant nymphal case. They are empty, brittle shells with a slight transparency.

This particular cherry-nose cicada is the first live cicada I had encountered. Attracted by our light it flew in from the dark of night. The portrait of this cicada shows its beautiful wing still ruffled from its abrupt landing, usually the wings fold down neatly when not in flight. My children and I observed his huge size and colourful markings in amazement. We weren’t even sure what type of insect it was at first because we had not seen a live cicada previously and because it did not look like the empty cicada shells we were so used to. This presented an opportunity to research. Since then we have been lucky enough to also record other live cicada species in this area.

Owl Eyes

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Owl Eyes By Hexagonal Mandala 2009

Urban Tree Of Life - mandala

My newest image, completed today.
Titled "Urban Tree Of Life - Mandala",
by contemporary Australian Artist Di Mathews.
Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2009.

The image shows a tree of life, whose branches and roots take on a Celtic knotted design which protectively encircling the bird. Knots are symbolic of linked connection to protective powers and their woven tangles are inspired by the idea of co-dependence in maintaining healthy eco-systems. This is further emphasised with the introduction of different insect forms within a small area. The choice of wildlife depicted represents the typical urban backyard, a place where you can encourage a bit of your own wildlife. A bird features as the central character. Birds are often associated with heavenly beings, representing the grace, beauty and freedom that many find unobtainable, while symbolising an emotional and spiritual goal. The interesting choice of black bird or raven is shown because it is often symbolic of death, a reminder that within this small urban confine that YOU have a responsibility. At the top is the day and night while at the bottom the land displays fertile and barren.

Skink Lizard

This Skink Lizard Artwork / illustration is an original digital painting by Contemporary Australian Artist Di Mathews. It is available for sale as a print on museum quality paper.

The lizard is an Australian species from my backyard. It is about a foot (30cm long) and often bakes itself in the warmth of the sun. This particular skink has a favourite route. At certain times of the day it runs from one side of the cement verandah to the other. Often this routine lines up with my husband standing in the way. They have a ritual where the lizard will run out and stop about 12 cm from my husbands feet, then it will tilt its head to look up at him and wait for him to move. Husband takes a step backward and the lizard continues its dash to the other side of the path... Until one day when the lizard forgot to check and came running full speed out from the leaves and ran smack-bang into husbands foot. He tilt its head to look up at him as if to say "why didn't you move?" then continued to run right over the top of both of his feet. Another time the lizard forgot to check his route he ran smack-bang into a turtle dove, it was hard to tell which jumped the most in fright.

Antique Camera Still Life

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This is a realistic still life artwork by Di Mathews, Created in the memory of Darrell Claude Avery. Copyright Hexagonal Mandala 2005.

I grew up as the proud daughter of a freelance wedding photographer. My dad's main employment was as a coal miner, grotty and not very glamorous, but when preened and formally attired, armed with amazing gadgets my father could make peoples precious memories materialise. As a child this seemed glamorous and mysterious.

After he died I inherited these items, whose magic I was able to resurrect throughout the years of art school that followed. This image is a celebration of that era. A nostalgic look at the past and recreation of the elegance of equipment. All of the items featured in this artwork are sculpted by myself in virtual 3D space and are based on existing physical items.

Youthful memories of shutters and flash,
Red lit chemicals glimmer.
Enlarger looming over magical images,
While dangling film strips shimmer.

Captured love of marriage,
precious moments of youth,
cherished flowers in the garden
and immortalised snippets of truth.

Crow Dragonfly Bee

Bird Art - Galah Parrots

(click image to see larger version).
This is a 12x16 inch Australian native bird illustration by Hexagonal Mandala. Art and text - Copyright 2009.

Australian backyards are hosts to many amazing native and introduced bird species. I am lucky enough to have a few natives that frequent my yard and neighbourhood. This image is from a series of paintings which explores species observed at or near my home in the Hunter Valley on the eastern coast of Australia. This is a scene of Galahs, (Scientific name: Eolophus roseicapillus), where the morning sunlight illuminates the foliage below and signals the start to another glorious day. Galahs are easy to identify because of their colouring and they are one of the most common and widespread cockatoos in Australia. The large trees near my home often host a small handful of these birds, and often they will be seen rummaging through grass in search of a feed. Galahs are usually considered as exhibiting bold and loud behaviour and therefore to be referred to as a "Galah" in Australian slang suggests that your behaviour is perceived as that of a 'fool' or 'idiot'.

Bird Art - Carolina Wrens

These two Carolina wren artworks are by Di Mathews (Diavma). Copyright Hexagonal Mandala Australia 2009.
Both paintings measure approx 12 x 16 inches, on 250gm archival paper.
Carolina wren among dogwood flowers. The pretty songbird is the "State Bird" of South Carolina.
While the dogwood, a blossom that blooms profusely in spring, is North Carolinas "State Flower".

The Carolina Wren, Thryothorus ludovicianus, is one of the larger and more richly coloured wrens from the United States. The wren is mostly chestnut brown with butterscotch bellies and a bold white eyebrow and throat. The patterning of its wings and tail make it a wonderful species to paint. The male of the species is a well known song bird, whose song vary regionally. Males and females look alike with the male being slightly larger.

The Gestalt Mandalas

This is a series of artwork created in 2006 by the Australian Contemporary Artist Bob Mathews. The images are original, hand drawn & digitally manipulated multimedia fine art images, printed by the artist. The images and their text are subject to copyright laws. Copyright of images and text belongs at all times to RB & DA Mathews Soft Solution- Hexagonal Mandala 2006 - All rights reserved. These works are available for purchase approx size = 11.5x11.5inch (27x27cm) on museum quality 100% cotton paper, each comes with a signed certificate of authenticity which incorporates an artist statement.

Series Title: The Gestalt Mandalas

Series Statement: This small series of six mandalas represents a mystic appreciation of the totality of the cosmos and our true place and therefore tries to give an answer to the "meaning of life". An answer that involves Christian concepts of God and Grace. Jungian concepts of Mind and Symbol. Quantum Mechanic concepts of physical reality. Cosmology concepts of Creation. Chaos Theory concepts of structure and effect. Taoist concepts of Energy and Change. Finally my own concepts of triangular relationships expressed in the name Hexagonal Mandala

The term Gestalt is intended to mean a synthesis of separate elements of Emotion, Experience and Knowledge that constitute more than the sum of the parts. A mandala is a circle, whose archetypal symbolism, in creation, becomes spiritual and sacred. What Jung called Archetypal Symbols of Transformation. Thus in part through execution, or contemplation, of mandalas the individual can find or balance their true sacred self and therefore their correct place in relation to the Universe. Thus leading to rebirth and therefore Healing.

While Science, Religion and Psychology are referenced constantly in this series of images I am not practicing any of these disciplines but rather the craft of the fine artist. Still it is my deeply felt hope to create Symbols of Healing. Images that will act as empowering conduits for individual growth & healing in this crazy world.

Art Work Title: "Change" (click on image to enlarge)

Artist Statement: Cosmologists would claim Creation started with a Big Bang. That the entire nature and history of the universe was written in less than a second. Taoist philosophy states that all that exists consists of Linked Energy that is involved in constant Cycles of Change that creates Fluid Balances. Chaos Theory deals with absolutely simple maths that produces relationships of enormous complexity. Also referenced is the concept of many complex arrays of triangular relationships involved in these processes. One example of which physicists call the "Three Body Problem". While this image is about creation, more so it is about the on going processes that creation set in motion. So it tries to express the total wonder at the magnificence of Creation and the changing, evolving inter-relatedness of all aspects.

Heat, Birth, Expansion:
 Infinite Complexity 
Deep Simplicity

Art Work Title: "Reality" (click on image to enlarge)

Artist Statement: This image explores visually the real nature of physical reality at the atomic level. The solar system model of the atom as hard little particles orbiting around a central collection of larger particles is only a convenience that does not truly reflect reality. Closer to actuality is the concept that atoms are constructed of Forces and Fields. That the atom is a collection of standing waves of energy called Electrons surrounding trios of entities called Quarks whose interaction creates Protons and Neutrons. The action of Quarks is a fundamental Triangular Relationship. So physical reality is in fact a seething, bubbling, changing and rearranging mass of energy. More than that it is thought that the very vacuum of space is constantly bubbling with created and destroyed energy particles. So the true nature of physical reality is strange and wondrous indeed.

The search is on for a unified field theory which is hoped with bring the theories of quantum mechanics and the theories of relativity under the umbrella of a single set of equations. It is my belief that in the direction of, and beyond, a unified field theory is the all pervading creative power of God.
This Divine Energy I call the Sea of Grace.

Below Sensate Ken 
Beyond Mystic Discernment: 
Meta Perception

Art Work Title: "Rebirth" (click on image to enlarge)

Artist Statement: Death is equivalent to Birth. Birth is equivalent to Death. So for the individual to grow or heal some aspect of self must be let go or let die. This process happens throughout life. The child dies at puberty so that the developing youth can emerge. Some aspects of both individuals must be sacrificed to create a successful marriage. Where two become one flesh. It is only with a genuine desire of great integrity that, though the universal power of Grace, can aspects of the Ego die so that the individual can be reborn to reflect the True Sacred Self. Thus to also find growth or healing where the need is dire.

Winters Cold Grasp Ends: 
Joyous Rapture, Life Renews 
Grace Fulfills Circle

Art Work Title: "Presence" (click on image to enlarge)

Artist Statement: Anyone who is open and sensitive to the deeper undercurrents of life should have at least a dim awareness of the continuous Presence of the Divine. There are, at least for me, rare moments where experience transcends awareness to become an all enveloping spiritual relatedness.
A period of overwhelming joy.

Quiet Reflection: 
Bathed in Fire, Flow Gentle Waves 
of Awesome Power

Art Work Title: "Journey" (click on image to enlarge)

Artist Statement: In this mandala the Dragon is most definitely intended to be ambiguous. On the one hand the Dragon Symbol can represent the challenge of facing up to evil. It can symbolise difficulties that must be over come to obtain a desired treasure of great value. Also the Dragon is Symbolically the source of messages from heaven. It can bring good fortune and frighten away demons. So the journey of life is full of confrontation with many styles of Dragon. The journey of life is also traversing the labyrinth with many surprises and dangers. Of not knowing what is around the next bend. The Labyrinth Symbolises both the discovery of ones hidden spiritual centre and the ascent from darkness to light. The Journey always is a challenge to accept all opportunities to learn and grow.

Travel in Hope, Faith
 Strive, Stumble, Fall, Always Grow: 
Tempered Spirit

Art Work Title: "Balance" (click on image to enlarge)

Artist Statement: Carl G Jung believed that most people were not completely self realised. That some aspects of their personality were emphasised and other aspects ignored or hidden. That the first step for a man to be balanced and complete was to acknowledge his feminine aspect and the reverse for a woman. That with effort an individual could become conscious of their true self. It is my belief that a spiritual transformation is also necessary. That to place yourself as the centre of the universe can lead to great mischief. Therefore an acknowledgement of the individuals relationship with the Divine, and so his correct place, is of absolute necessity for the true self to also become sacred. Thus a fully effective human being. Find who you are and live in acceptance of this. Find your inner balance. Find your correct place in the universe.

Humble and Transformed 
Aware, Committed, Willing: 
True Sacred Self Stands

Robert Bruce Mathews (1956 - 2014)

Bob's dream was to help heal the pain he saw in the world,

and he hoped to do this through his Art.

These images along with artist statements and
certificate of authenticity are available for purchase.

They are presented on 240gm, high quality, archival, artist paper.
Price includes Postage WITHIN Australia.
Overseas airmail (other than to Australia) MUST also pay 
the additional $10 postal fee below.
Choose required artwork title with the pull-down menu below.

 

Art by Robert Mathews (Bob)

Titled: Change $74.00 AUD Titled: Reality $74.00 AUD Titled: Rebirth $74.00 AUD Titled: Presence $74.00 AUD Titled: Journey $74.00 AUD Titled: Balance $74.00 AUD Postage outside Australia $10.00 AUD