Array of seeds, featuring Amborella trichopoda (detail)
Krista Anandakuttan 2016, Ink on plaster (fresco secco)
The angiosperms– flowering plants– produce true enclosed seeds. This array of seeds is centered around a specimen of Amborella trichopoda, a living descendent of one of the earliest flowering plants. The surrounding seeds are selected to show off some of the fascinating diversity of botanical lifeforms.
This work began with studies and drawings, then sketches to decide on composition of the array. I drew the seeds in pencil on a 30″ x 30″ plaster panel, and built up forms using diluted ink washes. After masking them with beeswax, I painted the background with pools of water and India ink (below). The final details and a little refining was done with an x-acto blade.
Currently on exhibit in “Biodiversity, A Closer Look” at Sebastopol Center for the Arts, Gallery II
Feb 12- March 20, 2016