Behind The Paintbrush: Madeleine Peta

What methods and techniques were used to create the work?

I used a combination of brushes and dotting tools with acrylic paint, in tones I mixed myself. I also developed a tool for the signature ripple designs, but that one is a secret I'll hang on to for now.

Tell us a little about the inspiration behind this work?

The inspiration for this one didn't come from a particular conscious decision, so much as an urge or itch that needed to be scratched. Sometimes, I don't know what I'm painting until it's done and I stand back from it.

Are you able to speak to the meaning/story behind this piece? 

I've always had an affinity for water and the ways it snakes itself across the land. Although the piece began as an aesthetic exercise, it has since come to symbolise my connection to country and the city I now reside; Meanjin on the Maiwar river (even if it's a bit browner these days). 

How long did it take to create?

I finished this particular piece over 3 nights, with a few breaks in between.

Were there any obstacles in the process of making something so intricate/detailed?

One of the main challenges/obstacles during production is not letting myself get too lax with the repetitive nature of the dots - it's easy to ruin a whole row of dots by paying more attention to the TV than the canvas. That and hand cramps!!