Painting on gutskin

The natural texture of the gutskin does interesting things when painted.  When the surface becomes wet, it 'gums' up a bit, becoming malleable and 'fleshy'.  It has a very living feel to it, which is exactly what I wanted when attempting to work with a once living product.

It has an unpredictability that can be manipulated, if you are willing to give up control a bit to what the acrylic does on the surface.  Techniques are developed during the process, ending in surface that is layered with interesting 'bits and pieces'.

Once finished applying paint, surface will need to dry.  Not until it is dry will the exact contortions of the piece be revealed. I like this uncertain aspect of it.  The buckling and ridges made in the intestine become apart of the process itself. The end effect is somewhat sculptural.



These first experiments are reactions to the pockmarked land in Verdun, how man-made destruction machines re-landscaped the Earth.  Working thematically with destruct/create, nature/nurture, anxiety/unpredictability (more to come on this).

I want to keep going with this and develop the technique and eventually go larger.  Not sure if I like how the third one has the kind of stencil, hard edged shape.