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Life Amongst the Lily Pads – SOLD

$7,995.00

Life Amongst the Lily Pads Original Oil on Canvas 41cm x 81cm – SOLD

by ARC Living Artist Pippa Chapman

Pippa’s inspiration for this painting: “Peering into the enchanting world of the lily pond, the delicate balance of nature is revealed. The beautiful, yet elusive little Kingfisher, with its vivid colours flashing in the dappled light, spies the small yet equally vibrant dragonfly. Both masters of flight, with keen eyesight and swift reactions, who will be the victor here? The Lotus stands silently by, a symbol of purity and rebirth, rising from the mud a clean and shining beacon, reminding us of our own evolution”.

The Little Kingfisher is the smallest of all Kingfishers, measuring only 11-13 cm in length. The plumage (including the head) is deep glossy blue above extending down side of chest and the plumage below is white. It has a long, heavy, black bill with a white spot on each side of the neck. There is another white area near its eye. The legs and feet are black. It only has 3 toes, two of which point forward and one of which points back. During the breeding season (October to March in Australia), the Little Kingfisher will dig out a small burrow on the bank of a river. The nests are constructed by both males and females. They will take turns burrowing out a tunnel with their feet, and then they will hollow out a narrow chamber at the end of the tunnel in which to lay their eggs. Nesting tunnels can reach 15 cm in length, and they will end in a nesting chamber, into which 4 – 7 glossy, white eggs are laid. Both parents incubate the eggs. The young develop quickly. After hatching, they are altricial (naked and completely helpless) and require feeding by the parents, who bring the food into the nesting chamber. However, soon the nestlings are able to travel toward the entrance of the tunnel where they encounter the adults and wait to be fed. Eventually, they are fed on a perch near the entrance. Fledging can last a few days to a few weeks. After that, the young will be on their own and are able to feed themselves. Both parents care for the young.

The Little Kingfishers behave and feed in a similar manner to Azure Kingfishers. They will catch flying pray, such as insects, in the air. They will also dart from low branches to feed on small fish and crustaceans. They are specialists at diving deep into the water for their prey. They flight is quick and direct; and will often bob the head and wings in anticipation of spotting a fish. The Kingfisher will stab its prey, either with the bill closed or open, depending on the size of the prey. They kill their prey by beating them on the ground or perch to shatter the bones. Then they work the fish into their mouths, head first, so that they won’t get cut up by the bones or scales as they swallow it whole. They will even consume snakes in this manner. Their calls sound like thin, shrill whistles.

Pippa paints directly from life and it has been her aim to produce paintings of high quality which adhere to the strict principles of the past masters, from the early Flemish schools and Italian Renaissance, to the European academic theories which remained in widespread use up to the end of the 19th Century. Using their often complex, techniques and methods and without losing her fundamental artistic vision she is able breathe life into the subjects by turning ordinary everyday objects into something beautiful.

Pippa explains “Working with that which inspires me, I combine elements within the paintings that compliment and strengthen each other. With bold colour and a minimalist approach, all the elements are harmoniously bound by a strong single source of light that both illuminates and emboldens all that upon which it falls. I try to convey a sense of peace and serenity within my work, evoking a feeling of calm contemplation to all who look upon them, each of the elements containing their own deeper message and together bringing a message of hope, peace and relaxation”.

With over 30+ years painting experience and over 100 awards and exhibitions both in Australia and internationally, Pippa promotes and dedicates herself to the Old Master realistic techniques of art.

These awards and exhibitions include The Mall Galleries in London for Best Oil in Show and Finest Brushwork in Show, Christies in London, ARC Finalist, Art Excellence Awards, Best Realist Camberwell Art Show Melbourne, World Art Awards, People’s Choice Awards, and many others. Also represented in print with Rosensteil’s London and Museum and Galleries, London, magazine covers Horse & Hound, and with several galleries both here and internationally.

Pippa is an Art Renewal Centre Living Artist and Society of Equestrian Artists UK Associate Member.

Original artwork by Pippa Chapman

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