Tasmanian artist shows off unusual art skills using no tools besides fingers

The art of finger painting isn’t for the under 5’s, it’s a messy, freeing way to make art. Learn from this Tassie artist.

Artist Eleonora Pulcini shows her skills in finger painting. Picture: Alison Foletta

It’s lawless, messy and beautiful – and not just for toddlers on a rainy afternoon – finger painting is a genuine art form with stunning results.

Italian native, Eleonora Pulcini, who now calls the calm of Tasmania home, uses finger painting as her medium to create amazing pieces of art.

Ms Pulcini said finger painting was a “different approach to art.”

“When creating a painting we need to be free of rules,” she said.

“Too many rules kills the act of creation and the deep connection to the canvas. Forget about all the fine art rules, and just have fun and create with absolutely nothing, just fingers.”

Marilyn Fraterman experimenting with the art of finger painting. Picture: Alison Foletta

Ms Pulcini will put down thick waves of oil paint before using her fingers to bring the colours together, slowly creating her art.

Ms Pulcini doesn’t teach, she says there aren’t really rules to finger paint to teach but likes to inspire, which she did with some art students at Quadrant Mall in Launceston on Saturday.

One student was Marilyn Fraterman, who started creating a blue sky with shades of blue and white, melting them together with her bare fingers.

“I haven’t done finger painting since grade one,” she said.

“It actually feels nice.”

Jammuna Bond attending the finger painting workshop. Picture: Alison Foletta

Ms Pulcini said finger painting gives a real connection to the artwork.

“It’s putting a piece of you in the painting, and paint obviously gets on you as well,” she said.

“It keeps it authentic, people can look and say ‘that looks fun, I can do it as well’.”

Jammuna Bond is a retired nurse and since then has taken up art.

“I’m curious, I do oils but never finger painting,” she said.

“I love art, I love painting – I’m a very traditional painter.”

Eleonora Pulcini starting on a new piece inspired by lavender fields. Picture: Alison Foletta

Ms Pulcini said art gives your brain a break.

“When you create, your mind is 100 per cent concentrated on what you;’re doing and everything else that bothers your mind disappears,” she said.