KANGAROO PAINTING

Kangaroo Between Worlds

Kangaroo Between Worlds is one of those paintings that immediately catches your attention through its colour and energy. I wanted the background to tell its own story, so I used contrasting acrylic pouring paints to create two very different worlds. The cool neutral blues and purples remind me of purgatory, while the warm reds, oranges, golds and yellows appear to seep in from the edges like the fires of hell slowly breaking through.

The kangaroo stands between these two worlds, frozen in a moment of realisation. In my mind, he’s looking into hell with a look that says, “Oh no… what have I done?” It’s almost as if he’s just discovered where he’s headed and is taking in the terrifying scene before him. I love creating paintings that leave room for interpretation, and this one always makes people stop and imagine the story for themselves.

To bring the kangaroo to life, I combined two techniques. Parts of the fur were built up using palette knives with thick acrylic paint to create texture, while the finer details were added with a paintbrush for a more realistic finish. His glowing red, orange and yellow eyes reflect the fiery world he’s staring into, making them the focal point of the painting and tying the piece together.