Dragon Flight
An Asian folding screen panel captures a dragon taking flight.
Mixed: Intaglio etching, rosey brown roll, colored pencil and pen/ink
Dimensions: Image 15.5"x9" Framed 23"x19"
Background story: I don’t know why, but I have always liked depicting dragons. Other people must like them too as they have centuries of staying power in art and lore. I have drawn them and made woodcuts, paintings, and sculptures of them. These dragons sometime look Medieval, Asian or a combination of both styles. In this piece, this combination dragon takes flight on an adventure destination unknown.
This work is from one panel of a triptych inspired by the Japanese folding screen, byobu, which is usually made of paper or silk. Byobu are often used as room dividers but are esteemed for their unique art and scenes from folklore, history, and nature. This piece showcases an intricate design that calls to mind the heavily embroidered oriental silks found on antique storytelling screens.
Amelia Island: This island is full of interesting insects, animals, and plants associated with and dependent on the warm waters of Florida. In this work of art, bronze-tinted, rose-colored swirls of water serve as the backdrop for a fanciful scene of flora and fauna.
I was delighted to see so many dragonflies coming to my backyard pond and alighting on water lily pads in my Asian garden—much like this winged dragon lights on the delicate stem of a stylized arrowhead plant.
Nature Facts: Some of the images on this panel screen were made by impressing Creeping Charlie or ground ivy leaves onto the surface during the etching process. When I first discovered “Charlie” in my yard, its circular, lacey-edged, and delicate leaves delighted me. Then my husband told me it was an invasive weed. I still like its look but there is none to be found in our lawn today.
Intaglio Etching: This is an ancient art form used by famous artists such as Albrecht Durer and Francisco Goya in centuries past. The intaglio printmaking technique carves lines into a metal plate using hand-held cutting tools and acid’s corrosive effects repeatedly to create a dimensional image. The artist applies inks to the plate, presses damp paper into the image by hand rolling it through a press, and pulls paper off the plate to create a series of artist’s proofs (A/P). Once the artist approves of the image, a signed and numbered, hand-pulled, limited edition of prints is the result.
Artist’s Background: Marcia enjoys using a wide variety of media to celebrate nature. She is an artist, illustrator and author who has exhibited at many galleries, juried art fairs, and salon shows. She has received numerous awards and has pieces in private collections across the globe. She has two art-related degrees: a Master of Fine Art and a bachelor’s in education with an art studio minor.
Location: This artwork is currently on display at the Plantation Artists Guild and Gallery located at the Omni Spa and Shops of Amelia Island Plantation (94 Amelia Village Circle).
SHIPPING NOTE: This painting is between 20” and 30” so please select “Large Painting” in the shipping tab if not local. (Free local delivery within 32034. Select “Pickup in Gallery“ as your shipping option.)
More about Marcia DeFalco