Change... Artist Block, and an Action Plan!

End of an era... Henderson Art & Framing closing down sale.

Change now is inevitable, and I am still trying to get used to the fact that Henderson Art & Framing is now closing and will finally be locking the doors at the end of May. In the meantime they have a half price closing down sale so if you live nearby hurry along to stock up, and resolve to continue your art journey, one way or another! (Fortunately Bill will continue framing from home). Henderson's has been a big part of my life for the past 7 years and I have gained so much enjoyment and experience whilst working there as a freelance art tutor.

I have put several plans in place so that my class members will be able to continue with their drawing and painting and am currently offering one workshop a month, and one Social Sketchbook event a month. Probably not the week-in-week-out classes they might have hoped for but feel this is an opportunity to spend some time reconnecting with my own personal artwork. With a lot of my time spent researching, preparing and delivering art classes I have often let my own work take second place - you may have noticed that I have only been snatching time to sketch recently, when did I last work on a painting? Having spent time over the past weeks reflecting, envisioning and implementing a plan for life without Henderson's (plus a few health dramas for other members of my family) I wanted to get into the studio and do some work. But... nothing... the intention is there yet I avoid going down to the studio... so, nothing. I have ideas for drawings and paintings but that vital spark seems absent. Somewhere along the line I feel I have lost a sense of who I am as an artist, or maybe my art is in a phase of transition? This all sounds very existential but it's as if I don't know what 'my work' looks like any more; that it has moved on in my head but not in the real world because the practical, tangible work is missing.

Before I set out (publicly) an action plan let me assure you I haven't been wallowing in angst and hiding, and have organised two art events recently.

Drawing evening for King's Lynn Embroiderer's Guild.

I really enjoy connecting with people through art and was asked to put together an evening to help members of the King's Lynn Embroiderer's Guild with some drawing tasks to get a new project, based on ancient textiles, off the ground. The group were very enthusiastic and tackled three tasks with gusto.

The group working hard on selecting cropped areas
to transcribe in a drawn grid on A4 paper.

Using black felt pens they drew motifs from fabric samples or reference materials on tracing paper (four sheets each) which then could be layered to create more complex designs in a variety of configurations. This was followed by drawing cropped sections into six squares by isolating areas with a viewfinder. Finally a coloured positive / negative image was obtained by covering cartridge paper with a variegated coloured layer of soft pastel, overlaid with oil pastels. When drawn on the reverse side the design got transferred as a positive line on white, leaving the original as a pale negative line on a coloured background. Congratulations to all the members for working so hard and producing some great work - I hope it will prove useful as a springboard for generating further ideas.

Social Sketchbook event at Stow Bardolph.

The first Social Sketchbook event was held at the beginning of the month. I had arranged for us to meet at Church Farm, a small rare breeds centre in Stow Bardolph. The weather was relatively kind as previous days had been wild winds and bitterly cold. Although still chilly, the wind had dropped considerably and the sun even put in an appearance.

A curious pig returning the interest as one member sketches quickly
 to capture her expression.

Smiles all round - but ready for a warming drink and snack in the Tea Room,
where one member is already happily ensconced.

The group seemed to enjoy the opportunity to work outside of the studio environment, and quickly overcame any concerns about using sketchbooks in such a busy environment (it was the start of the Easter holidays and bustling with families enjoying the farm animals). There were nine of us and as the farm is quite compact we all moved about focusing on what caught our individual attention, yet frequently were in close proximity to one or two of the others. By early afternoon the nip in the air was taking it's toll and we were ready to retire to the Tea Room for a hot drink and light lunch while we chatted. The social aspect has always been welcomed by members of my classes and I hope more will join the Social Sketchbook events in the future.

*The drawings below are from a few pages in my sketchbook and apologies for the blue tinge, the paper is white, honestly.

   

Sheep study in Goldline 8x8" hardback sketchbook.  

Sheep and lamb sketches.

Quick Whitepark cow head study.

   

So, back to thoughts of the future... what do I plan to do about this (temporary) artist block?

1.  Introduce structured hours in the studio, or on location. Just show up whether I feel like it or not.
2.  Work from life as much as possible - whatever takes my fancy initially - I feel sure that if enough work is generated that eventually subject matter or a theme will emerge. It may still be animals and the natural world, or it may be something different, I will try to be open to whatever transpires.
3.  Be productive, encourage quantity so that I may move beyond the more obvious.
4.  To have a period of experimentation, play and discovery and to withhold judgement and criticism to begin with - what will be, will be.
5.  Continue to encourage the social aspect. Spend time outside of the studio with other artists, either at art events or to draw and paint in company.
6.  To keep my teaching schedule manageable so that continuity of my personal work remains strong.
7.  Outside of 'work hours' continue to read art books / magazines / watch art DVD's or You Tube and as ideas, media, subjects or treatments capture my interest to have a go and see what happens.
8.  If I feel really stuck to just play around with colour and create abstract backgrounds to use as a base for drawing / painting / writing over.
9.  To keep positive as this situation has happened before, is likely to happen again in the future and is part of the creative cycle - it happens to most of us at some point!
10. To post more often to this blog, in the hope that whatever I produce in the next few months - whether good, bad or ugly, will give you some insight into this frustrating lull in motivation, but that it can be overcome.

Has something similar happened to you? How did you cope, and what strategies were useful in getting your art back on track?

A State of Flux

 A5 Sketchbook double spread - experimenting with mixed media.  

I cannot believe that I have not yet posted in 2015, and it is already the end of February! Where has the time gone? It's certainly not because things have been quiet. Maybe it is due to a state of flux that has descended since receiving the news that Henderson Art and Framing is for sale and may actually close completely after Easter. Although I am self-employed I work freelance at Hendersons running adult art classes. It has been a roller coaster couple of months for the owners, Bill and Sue, with several interested parties looking to continue the business (except for the framing which Bill plans to do from home) but unfortunately none of these have yet proved viable. The members of all the classes that are held there are concerned about where, and how, they can continue with their studies. As tutors we have also found the uncertainty tricky. I have been doing lots of visualisation and trying to get a sense of how my art career might develop and how to make new opportunities for myself and my clients.

The photo above is of a double page spread in an A5 sketchbook. It was an experiment with mixed media (gesso, acrylic, graphite pencil and powder, pen) to work out some suitable techniques to encourage the class this week in their exploration of weathered concrete. In some ways it also sums up how I've been feeling, especially the last few weeks, as time is running out. The linear marks could represent the chop and change in mood, up one moment with the thrill of new opportunities and down the next, can I sustain a full time art career or will I need to get a regular job again? Another brainstorming session, and I'm up again... Exhausting stuff. There's the effect of chunks falling off and then the crack, symbolizing the final break; the shop closing. But look closer, at the speckles and spatter - like the threads and seeds of ideas. Some old ones, sown many years ago, now ready to grow into fruition. Some fresh and new, holding such promise. Actually all my thinking, researching and daydreaming have now started to form into positive action. I am gradually putting together a programme of events for my clients that I hope will enable many to continue their art journey. I have been visiting different places, and contacting people, to try and arrange a variety of workshops in different locations. Will keep you posted.

Talking of different locations...

Sketching on Roydon Common.

     
This is Roydon Common. And this is the first time I have ever been there! We moved to King's Lynn 17 years or so ago and this amazing place is right on the doorstep, how did it get overlooked? Acres and acres of sandy, heather filled landscape with several interesting features - evidence of an old Victorian tramway for example... Also, there are wild ponies grazing and they look the picture of health in their thick winter coats.

Evidence of an old Victorian tramway.

Wild pony on Roydon Common, a picture of health.

This weekend I plan to get a bit more practice with quick portrait studies in charcoal as this is the focus of classes next week. The study below was done several night's ago as my husband dozed in his armchair, and yes, he still had his headphones on. It only took about 15 minutes and looks more like him than anything I've done before, even caught the little frown between the eyebrows.
 

Paul dozing, still wearing headphones.
Quick portrait study, A4 sketchbook, in charcoal pencil. 

I suppose my message from this post is that when unexpected events happen, life goes on, and it is up to you how you move on and shape the future. It was being made redundant in 2003 that catapulted me into embracing the life of an artist in the first place.

What do you want to do with the rest of your life? Are there any steps, big or small, that you can make in the direction of this dream?

Drawing in a Museum - Hints & Tips

Travelling light... basic equipment for a few hours sketching

During the past week I have had lots of practise sketching in a museum setting - an activity I always really enjoy. The mixed media class I run takes place in the studio at Henderson Art and Framing in Gaywood, King's Lynn. For a change this term I put a 'field trip' on the programme. The two afternoon sessions took place in Lynn Museum, plus I went prior to these as the displays have been revamped since I last visited. I put myself into the mindset of a newcomer to this activity and jotted down some suggestions to discuss:

• Walk around - get the feel of the museum and what is displayed.
• What interests you / catches your eye?
• 'Warm up' - do some quick small sketches to get comfortable in environment / concentrate the mind / get hand-eye coordination 'on the go'.
• Move into more concentrated sketching / drawing - what interests you most about subject / object?
• More than one drawing of object? Same or different view / treatment / media?
• Make notes alongside sketches? Factual about object / subject or jottings about colour / light etc?
• Try different media / approaches?
• Multiple sketches on page? Larger drawing going across gutter / ringbinder? 
• Try turning sketchbook around for variety of formats - portrait / landscape etc.

Two members of the class busy with their sketchbooks
(yes, they gave me permission to use my photo here)

The two sessions were a great success, although a few members missed the opportunity for one reason or another. None of them had ever actually experienced drawing in a museum before. They settled quickly, generated several drawings each in their books in a variety of media and coped admirably! I was really pleased and hope that they might consider using sketchbooks more often when out and about. I stressed that it wasn't about making pretty pictures, or with a view to getting enough information to create paintings from. It was purely drawing for the enjoyment of studying and recording aspects of an object / subject that appealed. No pressure, so no problem. Try it for yourself, it could lead to whole new avenue to explore...

I shall leave you with some photos of my own efforts, and if you were wondering about the glue stick in the image at the top of this post - it's to attach the receipt to the page and make it an integral part rather than an after thought.

Start with simple shapes like these pots before trying a more complex study

  

Savage's Fairground Ride captured in water soluble pen
 - reminded me of 'Roadrunner' from the cartoon

Back to pencil and a line drawing of the timbers from Seahenge,
 it was the negative spaces between them that caught my eye

Water soluble pencil, and when I had gathered enough information
I moved on, no need to slave over a drawing

Ah, subject matter I love - translated on the page in sepia & black pen on the left,
water soluble pencil on the right 

Turn the sketchbook around for a different format
to better suit the subject... sepia pen and water soluble pencil
for added tone

Finally...

The Central Stump of Seahenge looking very sculptural and set off
with a dark scribble of pencil as a background

Sepia pen for these wooden carvings

Graphite pencil for this handsome beast

Thank you to the staff at Lynn Museum www.museums.norfolk.gov.uk who were very friendly and didn't mind us commandeering chairs and stools as we moved around the space tracking down objects of personal interest.

Open Studio - First Weekend

Inside and out... studio ready for visitors

As I write and look out the window, heavy rain is lashing down and it takes me back to the start of the weekend when Paul and I struggled in the wind and rain to fix laminated notices to gateposts. However it cleared by early afternoon and Open Studios was up and running. I had a quiet first day and only two visitors so finished the day wondering if my fears of being too 'off the beaten track' were well founded. Sunday dawned bright and clear and I had a lovely day with a steady flurry of interested visitors. Some were members of the art classes I teach and keen to see where I create the sample work for the sessions delivered at the Henderson Art & Framing studio in Gaywood. Others were members of West Norfolk Artists Association and having met me, or heard of me, seemed to enjoy chatting about the challenges of being an artist and viewing my personal artwork. Neighbours called round to find out more about what I 'get up to' and, of course, the dedicated art lovers who browse the NNOS14 brochure to find studios they would like to visit.

Studio view... happy to put the kettle on while you look at work
and feel free to take a seat and chat about any aspects of being an artist.

Yesterday, Bank Holiday Monday, was once again bright with sunny spells despite showers forecast. I was delighted to receive visitors again interested in art and artist studios. I have Work in Progress on my table easel and floor standing easel, but haven't made much progress as I do love to chat! A major highlight of the day was when my mum and sister surprised me with a flying visit, they had travelled all the way from Hertfordshire.

Blocking in base layers for dog portrait using soft pastel

So, what can you expect if you visit? The walls display my personal artwork which includes many animal portraits, a particular passion, in a variety of media. There is a browser with mounted (but not framed) work and these include studies and still life subjects. A Bargain Basket contains loose work of mostly experiments or workshop studies. There is a stand with cards/postcards for sale and a display of artwork samples to promote the pastel and mixed media classes I teach. Further round is an area devoted to my Artist in Acre Project - self initiated and an ongoing task for the whole year. This brings us back to the Work in Progress, this will change as artwork gets completed and a new challenge gets underway.

Read the programme for current classes,
and view examples of work from previous sessions

I have also set up a table with natural objects and examples of drawings done with dip pens and Quink Ink. Feel free to have a go and experience the amazing properties of this permanent ink - ideal for use in a sketchbook (but not work for hanging as not lightfast).

Try your hand at drawing with a dip pen, and Quink Ink

This weekend has proved that there are family, friends, neighbours, acquaintances and art lovers who are local or from further afield, interested to see what Open Studios is all about. Thank you all for your interest and support, it is greatly appreciated and I look forward to meeting more of you over the next two weekends.

Visit www.nnopenstudios.org.uk for more information on participating artists.