Here and There - An Abstract Beaded Painting
Here and There is a new small beaded painting that continues my exploration of flowers and trees with paint, embroidery and beading in my art practice. I am constantly inspired by the landscape that surrounds me in my garden and neighbourhood. I first noticed the Jacaranda blooming in late spring on my walk down to the beach. The beautiful vibrant purple color springing up in the neighbourhood could not be ignored and I knew it would become a painting.
Why Beadwork
The beadwork represents light dancing across foliage and flowers, that sparkle and brightness that makes everything feel so alive.This 21cm x 17cm piece began as it always does: vibrant color, loose brushwork, those circular forms that keep appearing in my work. But this time, I added hand-beaded embellishment that transforms paint into light.
There's something about beadwork that painting alone can't capture. Each bead catches and reflects light differently as you move around the piece. It's dimensional, tactile, alive in a way that flat paint isn't. The process of adding beads to the canvas is very meditative. Each tiny bead creates a rhythm that slows me down and keeps me present in the moment.
You need you to step into the painting to see the individual beads, the layering of acrylic and oil pastel underneath. Combining traditional painting techniques with beadwork lets me literally add light to the work. Paint can represent shimmer but the beads actually create it. It's a beautiful marriage of craft and art, patience and spontaneity.
I'm continuing this beaded series throughout 2026, so if you're interested in seeing where this exploration takes me, follow along.