Carmen McNally's Art

  SIRENE (2005) Jacqueline Dobrugi Jacqueline Dobrugi’s painting SIRENE (2005) really draws me in because of the movement and emotion within the surface. The deep blues and purples instantly make me think of water, but not calm water. It feels powerful, layered and slightly chaotic. I like how the siren is not clearly defined. Instead of painting a literal figure, Dobrugi suggests her presence through sweeping marks, thick paint and bursts of red and orange that maybe suggestthe tail.  The texture feels physical and expressive, almost like the sea is alive. This connects to my own practice, when I respond to music and allow colour and movement to guide the painting rather than focusing on detail. In my next abstract piece, I want to experiment with creating stronger textural marks like this, using thicker paint and more confident gestures so the surface feels alive and full of energy. I have gathered better tools for mark making, including plastic netting, palette knives and o...