Sheila Simpson-Creps
Originals

Twelve years ago I took up the practice of painting which developed out of a background in textile arts (weaving and surface design). In the late 1980’s while working on my M.F.A. I began to explore egg tempera as a medium. I am continuing to play and research in egg tempera and find that it has possibilities that are not mentioned in the old treatises on egg tempera painting. It can be used in collage constructions, on textured surfaces and on paper. While I cannot paint with it in impasto I can create a highly textured appearance by creating textured grounds using heavily fibered Japanese papers, rough watercolor paper and stiffened cheese cloth. These are all mounted on a firm support; the paint and the ground work together to create a unified textured visual affect.

Birds became a primary subject for me a few years ago. I enjoyed their graphic markings and birds in my environment pulled me into their world. As I have studied birds more and the awareness of them has developed in my consciousness and my art I have become more aware of the environmental destruction of both their world and ours. My use of birds is both a testimony and a memorial to the importance of them in our world and lives.

Birds have become a form of icon for me and my picture plane is developed to create for them a place of honor. The old Russian and Byzantine icons were Painted in Egg Tempera and it seems most appropriate that I paint with it in celebrating my subject matter. In continuing to paint in this medium and with birds as my subject the history of both icons and Egg Tempera painting are changed and I hope, enriched.

Egg Tempera is a painting medium that was used prior to the invention of oil paints. It is a mixture of egg yolk and pigment and continues to be painted by artists in a variety of ways. Traditionally, there were specific rules for the application of Egg Tempera that had severe limitations. Although it is true that Egg Tempera cannot be painted with impasto (thick heavy paint) techniques and needs a rigid support it can be applied in a more contemporary fashion. It is a very durable medium and maintains its color brilliance over time without yellowing the way oils can. It actually gets stronger and harder with time. Three artists with whom you may be familiar whose paintings are done in Egg Tempera are: Andrew Wyeth (contemporary), Ben Shahn (1898-1969) and Sandro Botticelli (1445-1510)

I enjoy painting with Egg Tempera because of its quick drying time. It gives me the ability to build up numerous thin layers without jeopardizing the under layers. I have found that Egg Tempera can be painted on heavily fibered paper and toothy watercolor paper. They are then supported by being mounted on museum board and stiff masonite as the
frame backing.

I also paint with watercolor and gouache on Papyrus which is the "paper" that the Egyptians developed and was used by other cultures as well, until the advent of parchment and paper from pulped fibers. Our word "paper" comes from the word Papyrus. It is made from the reed of the Papyrus plant which grows in the middle east particularly along the Nile River. Instead of turning it into a paper pulp it is stripped and the strips are layered vertically and horizontally and then pressed. This gives it a woven look.

Bird Art
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