In the heat of summer in 2021, between the pandemic news and the oppressive and unusual humidity, I took a deep breath and went into my studio to concentrate on life and joy, instead of…..well, you know what. I brought with me a few of my favorite flower friends from the garden and for the first time, figured out how to capture a carpet of them on a large canvas.
The technique I used is called sgraffito. I literally carve the outline of the plant into a wet gloss gell acrylic medium that is spread on the canvas first . Then I apply paint and ‘draw’ the flowers. The canvas was painted in sections because the quick drying medium could only be made malleable and wet once.
Breathe In, Breathe Out, detail 
Breathe In, Breathe Out, detail © Flora Doehler, 2021
You can’t see it in these photos, but the carving created hills and valleys on the glossy surface…like frosting on a cake. That makes it glitter slightly when a light is shone on it and when the viewer moves past it.
I like the effect. It’s almost like the painting is reminding me to Breathe In, Breath Out.
Breathe In, Breathe Out, in progress 
Breathe In, Breathe Out, palette
