Page 138 - Jessica K Ballantyne Studio Zine 2020

Kaleidoscopes

ancy circles instead of squares? The Kaleidoscopes are circular paintings exploring mythical themes, moving slightly from
the animal totems back towards the figure and sensuality. Although I still use a lot of fauna and flora in these paintings, the
Fanimals are more symbolic of mythical characters than animal totems, although these do overlap fairly often.

ertain elements feature prominently in the kaleidoscope paintings. You will see more florals, seed pods and ripe fruit which
are symbolic of fertility, growth but also serve as memento moris (reminders of our ultimate mortality). Underneath the lay-
Cers of oil paint (more thickly applied than in my earlier work) is a three layered acrylic inkblot which serves as a base for the
paintings. I use inkblots because they allow my subconscious mind to come up with imagery, whilst keeping a symmetrical composi-
tion which I find grounding and calming.

aleidoscopes have interested me since I was a kid. I loved the shimmering, shifting , sparkling qualities of the colourful
glass, the symmetry of the vibrant colours. I revisited the ideas behind the Kaleidoscope series after attending a medita-
Ktion workshop where the power of kaleidoscopes in tapping into the subconscious mind were being demonstrated in a new
meditation by Dr Joe Dispenza, using kaleidoscopes as a tool to tap into and program the subconscious mind.

Kissed Cracked Killed Clipped
Oil on Canvas
Size: 90cm diamter

#90

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