Heredity

Tree of Life No3
An acrylic mixed media (extrusion and lenses) tree with a DNA double helical motif throughout. The tree’s branching form is often used to represent relatedness and diversity. Combined with the double helical motif for heredity it becomes a comment on the commonality of species and on the molecular biological basis for heredity and diversity.

How it was made:
First a canvas was primed with an absorbent gesso (from Golden). The absorbant gesso enhances watercolor and staining effects when used with diluted acrylics. patterns reminiscent of DNA were scratched into the stained gesso while the paint was still wet using a firm silicone tool. Rough “sketchy” tree shapes were added using a coarse alumina paint and other “dimensional” acrylic paints and media. Once the tree sketches were dry, roughly shapes areas of tinted gel and textured gel media were applied to the upper areas of the painting. The gels dry transparent. liquid dilute paint was loosely swirled into the “solid” wet gel areas, the liquid media (which also dry transparent) were poured from the top of the painting with the canvas tilted roughly 10 degrees from horizontal. Paint was swirled into the liquid media and it was allowed to flow for a few minutes, then the canvas was laid flat to allow the media to set. Once the background had dried, extruded fine and broad smooth and textured lines were added using tinted transparent gel medium pressed through cake decorating nozzles. Glass lenses were added between extruded layers to manipulate the light and space the layers. Shaped pieces of acrylic were incorporated into the “leaf” areas, along with media extruded through specialized "leaf shape’ nozzles. A final layer of poured liquid media was used to help the 3-D elements stay adhered to the canvas, and to encase the extruded lines in a glossy glaze. It’s a really cool effect if you ever get to see it in person.