We Buy A Dot Painting
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (340217)
Rockingham, Australia
November 6, 2016 10:43pm CST
While we were travelling through South Australia and the Northern Territory recently, we visited several chasms and gorges in the West MacDonnell Ranges west of Alice Springs.
At one, an indigenous lady, Rhonda Inkamala, was seated on the ground with some paintings spread around her and working on some more. The works all used the 'dot' technique which is traditional among indigenous artists.
It is difficult to know what constitutes good and bad dot paintings but we were taken with the colours in the one we purchased. We also bought a bookmark. Rhonda was very well spoken and was happy to pose with the painting that we purchased.
26 people like this
23 responses
@JudyEv (340217)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 16
@Marty1 I think it is mostly that the paintings don't always appeal. And it's sad but true that if someone is carrying their paintings from caravan to caravan in a park you think that maybe the paintings aren't going to be that good.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
7 Nov 16
That is an interesting pattern in the painting and the colors are interesting as well.
6 people like this
@cacay1 (83505)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Nov 16
@JamesHxstatic, That is true and that dot panting is not so attractive to the eyes of the non-painter hehehe.
4 people like this
@JudyEv (340217)
• Rockingham, Australia
7 Nov 16
I think for our indigenous people this is the way they have always painted. They wouldn't see it as 'pointillism'.
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
7 Nov 16
I love the painting you chose. I think it would be a very interesting conversation piece in your home!
5 people like this
@cacay1 (83505)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
7 Nov 16
@DeborahDiane, right and there is something to tell someday.
5 people like this
@DeborahDiane (40294)
• Laguna Woods, California
8 Nov 16
@JudyEv - Very cool. You will have to show us a picture of what it looks like once you frame it.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
9 Nov 16
I am really curious if the painting has some type of meaning for her, or if it is just warm colors or pleasing arrangements of the colors, Judy.
I've spent the last three hours researching the Aboriginal artists and their technique... I also found some things you might be interested in looking at, too. (I'm not sure how deeply you've studied their artwork or if you've tried to find out anything more about it, at all...
Apparently, some of the indigenous people used the technique to tell stories and others used the same technique to pass other more secretive information to their people. If I was understanding everything I read about their artistic works, each different set of people could have used the technique for different purposes... None of them trusted the non-indigenous people with the real meaning behind their art. Some even did their best to mask anything they considered sensitive data using that technique.
If you are interested, here is one of the better links I found that suggests what to look for and do to make sure you aren't being taken for a ride when considering purchasing some of the artwork.
It's a fascinating subject, Judy! I do hope this link is something you wanted/needed to know.
Aboriginal Art is famous for its dot paintings: how are they made and why do the Aboriginal people paint with dots?
1 person likes this
@DaddyEvil (137259)
• United States
10 Nov 16
@JudyEv Sorry, Judy.
I found it fascinating, so at least one person here was interested in reading about it.
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@JudyEv (340217)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 16
@DaddyEvil You don't need to be sorry but that's the way it is don't you find? I often leave out great chunks of 'stuff' I find fascinating because I know it will make the post too long for most to be bothered reading. And yet sometimes I think it is important people know the background or detail or whatever or they only have half a picture.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (340217)
• Rockingham, Australia
10 Nov 16
I followed the link thanks. I did know quite a bit of this. Nobody here wants to read a great treatise on aboriginal art - not that I know a lot about it. Infobarrel would be a better vehicle for such an article. Ours says 'traditional design' on the back so I don't think it represents anything in particular. Some we've seen in galleries have a bit of an explanation on them - 'we used to go to this water-hole for picnics' or whatever.
1 person likes this
@Daljinder (23236)
• Bangalore, India
7 Nov 16
Interesting painting! I only have known about Dot painting done with a nib.
1 person likes this
@5thHouse (1678)
• Sheffield, England
7 Nov 16
I love this style of artwork. It reminds me of the work of my sister-in-law, Jessica Duff who paints in this style. She lived for many years in Halls Creek, Kimberley and her work is influenced by the landscape and the history of the indigenous people. I will attach a link to her work:
Inspired by Mother Earth Enchanted by the history & culture of the Kimberley region Created by Jessica Duff - Wyndham, Western Australia | Index | Intro | Cards | Detail | Author | People | Order | Kimberley | Gallery | .. THE ARTIST _ JESSICA DUFF
2 people like this
@JudyEv (340217)
• Rockingham, Australia
8 Nov 16
We thought it was lovely. Now we just have to frame it. :)
@snowy22315 (180857)
• United States
7 Nov 16
A dot painting, now that is something different!! I think I would buy one!
@arthurchappell (44998)
• Preston, England
7 Nov 16
it looks a nice painting and if you liked it especially enough to buy it then it is a good one regardless of anyone else's opinions of it
1 person likes this
@hereandthere (45645)
• Philippines
7 Nov 16
i would do that, too, choose the piece i find most pleasant in terms of colors, shapes, texture, or vibe
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
7 Nov 16
well good or bad, I really think, is in the mind of the one viewing it, and if you liked it, when who cares if it ends up being a 'bad one"
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
8 Nov 16
They look like galaxies in the sky.We have a lot of typical tribal paintings too.Fashion designers incorporate them into clothings.