Hi and welcome back to the Chrissie Murphy Designs Blog. Today I’d like to share a little about the first piece in my Buildings of the Cassowary Coast Collection. This artwork was finished a little while ago and it is called “Home”. It’s my portrayal of a building I have been enthralled with for a long time, the old Christ the King Catholic Church located in Lower Tully, Queensland.
A visit to the old church
In December last year I met with the owner and caretaker of the old church. I was keen to portray the church in a drawing. I wanted it to be the opening piece for a collection of work I had been considering.
It has been many years since the church was used in an official capacity, so being able to visit and photograph its beauty has been a real blessing. During my visit I spent time viewing all aspects of the building. Before visiting the site, I had no idea of the element I would narrow in on to portray. However I was certain it would reveal itself during my visit with the building.
It didn’t take long for me to find the component I would focus my attention on to portray for the collection. A tiny section toward the top right hand side of the building was where I was drawn.
There were elements inside the building as well
As I viewed inside the building, I was also looking for different elements I could bring into the piece. I was drawn to an old door whose core had become visible.
The waves of the pattern inside it reminded me of the area in which we live, the Cassowary Coast and its beaches. I decided I wanted to include elements of this in my portrayal as well because the lines are so conducive to this beautiful area.
Drawing of the Old Christ the King Catholic Church in Lower Tully
“Home” was drawn on Aquarelle Arches hot pressed watercolour paper (640GSM). It measures 42cm x 59.4cm and was created in acrylic, watercolour, coloured pencil and ink.
I used Jo Sonya Acrylics over a previously applied texture treatment for the sky. Colours were then made more vibrant with an application of Distress Inks and Prismacolour Coloured Pencils.
Sakura Koi Watercolours, as well as Distress Inks, were used for the application of base colours for the building and plant. They were then accentuated with Prismacolor Premier Coloured Pencils. All inking was performed with Signo Uni Ball Gel Pens in varying colours.
Where is my drawing now?
The original drawing of the old Christ the King Catholic Church is hanging in my home. It is situated just inside my front door. I love that it’s one of the first pieces you see when you enter my home.
I also had a canvas print created and this was gifted to the owner of the building as my way of saying thanks.
What’s next in the Buildings of the Cassowary Coast Collection.
Next in the Buildings of the Cassowary Coast collection is a building that holds a very special place in my heart. It is located in Australia’s Art Deco Capital, Innisfail and I will be keeping the identity of the building under wraps publicly for the next couple of weeks.
You can follow along and see my progress on this building by following me on my social channels – I’m here on Instagram and here on Facebook.
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Until my next blog post, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received”
Ephesians 4:1.
In peace always
Chrissie xx
