New Beginings

Just the start.

I have begun work on a few new pieces. I have three different sized canvases, just to see how the size changes the dynamics of a painting. The one above/below measures approx 102cm x 75cm. I like working big. I find it much easier to be messy! Normally I beaver away on a couple of works at the same time, so that I'm not always hanging around waiting for paint to dry. But having different sized boards to work on makes it much more difficult. I can't use the same size brushes and have to alter the compositions quite dramatically. Still it's all good fun.

I always start in the same way, by layering, papers and paint to form the background.

This one is tiny, and my lettering rather overwhelms the flighty birds, dipping in and out of the splattered ink. But I like the way the words resemble furrowed ploughed fields so it kinda works.

The one below measures 30 x40cm. An inbetweeny size. Both the one above and this one are on recycled canvas frames. I hated the originals and so tore off the offending canvas and screwed some ply on the frames in it's place. The ply gives a nice texture too. I'm using ink on these, so that I can use my calligraphy pens. Not sure how the ink will stand up to the finishing varnish. I've had disastrous results in the past, where it bled horribly. Hmmm, time to try hairspray me thinks. 

Alice doing some warm up exercises before starting an expressive painting (See unlocking creativity workshops), She needed to warm up, my studio was perishing that day, hence the mountain of jumpers she had to put on ! 

My workshops start again next week, we have a few places left, so if you are interested have a look at the link over on the sidebar.

Working outside the box

Disaster struck today....at least that was my initial thought. The key to my studio door got jammed in the lock, it wouldn't turn and it wouldn't come out. No amount of WD40 would loosen the wretched thing and for all of 40 minutes I wiggled and shook and even kicked the damn thing to try and get it to open......nope, not a thing. Now what?  I mused. I have a shed load of work I need to be getting on with, time is running out and it's all behind that stuck door! I did have my laptop in the house so all is not lost.


I have recently started Koan study and I am struggling with finding the time to 'sit' with a Koan. It's probably more of a fear about what may come up rather than not having time. Today was a good opportunity, no excuses.
Cushion put on the door step in the sun, I sat crossed legged listening to the wind, and instead of working on the Koan I was supposed to be working on I decided to 'sit as the wind'. A few things had been bugging me recently which I had been 'stuck' on, reluctant to change. It was windy today. The wind brings change, good weather, bad weather, the changing seasons, it never stays in the same place, each moment is different. Sometimes there is a lull and everything is still, not moving, then it starts again on it's relentless journey.

So that's what I did this morning for two hours, I was the wind. After, my head was much clearer and I started to think about being in the flow.....creatively, in my case. Sometimes creativity flows and other times it gets stuck and sometimes we need a jolt to get it moving again. I don't mean just for professional artists, but everyone. Some people just never feel they have the time to be creative, that family life or jobs get in the way. Or that they have a fear of criticism, that they are not 'good enough' to paint. Or that being creative takes them out of their comfort zone. Awakening our latent creative side is vital to our personal well being and the unlocking of creative inhibitions can only enhance our professional success too.
Soooo I have been exploring the idea of offering some 'unlocking creativity' workshops here at my studio. Exploring things like expressive painting, intuitive collage and making 3D works from found objects. A fun day shifting perspectives and preconceived notions!
If anyone is interested in finding out more about my workshops for the New Year, please email me.

So, being in the flow, blowing with the wind, was just what was needed and not a wasted day after all!
P.S. You don't always get what you want, but you always get what you need.