Terracotta Blue Abstract Painting: Layers That Gently Break Apart by Surreal Media

This work is composed of horizontal bands layered on top of one another like geological strata. At the top is a soft, cream-coloured surface, followed by undulating strips of rust-red, terracotta and warm orange; beneath these are broad bands of cream and ivory; and, moving downwards, the colours grow progressively deeper into petrol blue and dark teal, ending in a light, sand-coloured layer at the bottom. The surface consists of thousands of fine, densely packed lines, making it look almost like fibres or hair-thin traces of paint.

The small detail I keep returning to is in the centre. There, the cream layer breaks open and a crack runs diagonally downwards, into the blue. It is precisely in that crack that the light catches, and that seam glows like pale gold.

I thought of time. Of how things build up layer upon layer, and how sometimes a crack appears that doesn’t destroy, but rather reveals something. The atmosphere is warm at the top and cool at the bottom, and the two keep each other in balance.

It is a digital artwork with the appearance of thickly applied paint, featuring sharp ridges and raking light from the side, giving each layer depth and shadow.

In an interior, this piece feels earthy and serene. It complements natural materials such as wood, leather, linen and stone, and appeals to those who love desert landscapes, rocky coastlines or geology. Hang it in a living room, study or above a sideboard. Or take a look at: "Oker Paars Abstract Schilderij: Werveling rond een Stille Kern" if you love warm earth tones!