My Kingdom by Cathy McClelland
The cattle prices in Australia have collapsed, the Australian dollar is too high for exports and the family farm is on the brink of bankruptcy. This is a crisis facing rural Australia and the history of our country as we know it. ‘My Kingdom’ is my response to this crisis as the family farm, the cattle we raise and property we nurture is our Kingdom as we know it and the threat of loss of this wonderful lifestyle in our country is having a huge impact on psychological strength of our farmers. My Kingdom could be a scene that will only be seen by the large corporate owned farms in the future. The peace, lifestyle and joy of the family farm will be lost forever.
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Title of work My Kingdom
Size of work ( either cm or inches) 24×60 inch
Style (realism, abstract, expressionism etc) realism
Technique, Medium & material used Brush, Acrylic, Canvas
Date work was completed (only submit work of the current year) 2013
Aside from the tragedy you have depicted nature in all it’s glory and majesty. Your use of atmospheric perspective is excellent. I am drawn into the beauty of this work. Your colors and brush work give this piece an impression that pleases the viewer and makes one pause and think on the tragedy of loosing a life style that wakes one to a scene like this every morning. I look forward to seeing more of your work.
Beautiful Nature At the Mercy of Economy Onslaught; The years Old `My Kingdom ~ subdues to human Helplessness. The work is beautiful ; the brush work is catchy; yours is new expression of crisis as it stands reminding good old days as you narrated,
Thanks for your submission, Cathy. You have much talent and skill in using acrylics on canvas. The artwork is beautifully executed. Your composition is strong with good use of colors that harmonize. As well the balance is good and the lighting appears almost ethereal. After I read your statement, I do feel your conflict and pain regarding the economy and future of farming in Australia. Perhaps you could continue to exhibit this painting in Australia and wherever you can with a strong statement about your feelings. The two together carry much impact. Very best wishes to you and your family.
Captures the idyll of pristine landscape along very traditional lines. For all to which the work speaks by the given description, I would have liked to have seen something more vocal of dissent in the visual depiction. Without the written context the work on its own tells nothing of the impending threat or crisis and this detracts from what could be a very powerful work.
Cathy Everyone else has written such beautiful words about your painting that I can’t improve on them but only said I agree. This is a beautiful scenic of an ideal place to live, a place of peace & happiness. I looked at it & saw no crises, just beauty. Your written words tell of a crises of great impact but your painting only speaks to me of peace, joy, delight & happiness.