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?

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.

Artist in an Acre - Personal Project for 2014

Personal project brief... and up and running!

Almost a fortnight into the New Year. Did you make any resolutions? How are they holding up? Having made so many last year I decided to be more focused on a single resolution for 2014 - and so a personal project has been born :  Artist in an Acre.

My aim is to maximize time spent on developing personal work and a visual language whilst exploring, discovering and documenting my front garden, patio area, back garden and in our small paddock. (Yes, you guessed, the area of these is probably just over an acre - "our little bit of England" as my husband describes it). The plan is to do this with research, investigation and interpretation through the processes of drawing/painting/photography and video. I have even composed a personal project brief! This step feels like a real commitment and already I am on my way...

Sketchbook pages 1

Sketchbook pages 2

Just after New Year we had the willow tree that grows alongside the studio pollarded, this is necessary every few years otherwise the branches scrape against the felt shingle roof and damage it. We all pitched in to help, but I did manage to grab a short time to try and record the activity. Constantly moving, no time for posing, I just had to keep looking at the figures even as my pencil moved across the paper... real 'action shots'.

Sketchbook pages 3

I have also scuttled up the paddock on another occasion when the sky and lighting were quite dramatic, to scribble a quick sketch with notes to act as reminders in case I'm inspired to work on a painting from it at some point. I have grabbed the opportunity to study some of the old apples still hanging on grimly to the apple trees in the front garden, knowing that if I delay the birds will have finished them off.

Sketchbook pages - apple studies in sepia Pilot pen

Currently I am working in a 81/2" x 12" sketchbook with good quality cartridge paper pages, I plan to do some work in situ on larger sheets of individual paper plus some paintings. So please do visit regularly to see what is happening.

Why not set yourself a project of some kind? Perhaps explore your own surroundings? Or maybe focus on still life for a period of time... or figures... or portraits...What might you achieve with a concentrated period of time on something specific? I would love to hear.

Captured on camera by my son!

Art Review 2013

Happy New Year!

Looking back and reflecting has always been part of my way seeing through the transition of one year into the next.  Rather boldly and publicly, on this blog, I outlined 6 New Year Resolutions at the beginning of 2013.  Now I have to review whether any of them came to fruition!

1. Work smaller scale -  my work generally has been on a smaller, manageable scale.  However, I did also toy with the idea of a series of very small paintings based on local landscapes around my village, but have not done a single one!
2.  Work more from life - I have definitely done more work from life this past year.  Paintings have tended to be connected with the classes, but sketchbook work has increased greatly.  Making use of those small allocations of time creatively has helped me stay connected with my personal inner artist as well as honing skills and observation.

Bird studies - observing through the kitchen window.

3.  Close Inspection, initiate a series of work based on close up textural surfaces - this has not got off the ground, although I have continued to photograph areas of abstracted texture.  Maybe the answer is to set up a Flickr account and keep them just as a photographic series?
4.  Seasonal, initiate a series of work based on still life fruit and vegetables - this has not really spilled over into my personal work, although it has remained part of the class programmes and is an element I always enjoy.

Winter squash painted in sketchbook, couldn't resist the colouring...

5.  Act on opportunities and interests, don't put things off - this aspect is an ongoing work in progress.  I am definitely an 'ideas person' and generate so many, not all of them practical, that sometimes I need a bit of time to pass to assess which are viable.  I have found it really helpful to write down ideas in a notebook, and have even ticked off a few from the previous year.  In 2013 I finally entered the Eastern Open Exhibition and despite not having anything selected really enjoyed the work I did make for it.  I organised a bag for doing sketchbook work when away on holiday - France was more successful than Rome.  I treated myself to a camcorder, filmed work in progress, and set up my YouTube channel.  In November I took on the role of membership secretary for the West Norfolk Artists Association and have already had an article published in Update (the monthly newsletter) titled 'Making the most of Your Membership'.

I feel this resolution has been instrumental in making me have a more proactive outlook.  (Plus it will have repercussions into 2014 - more on that in my next post).

Camcorder set up - ready for action!

6.  Website - I periodically tried to get my original website on track.  However, images of my work have sailed off into the wide blue yonder and the whole thing does not seem very 'user friendly'.  In the autumn I signed up to Weebly and have been slowly building a free website, and have a fair amount of pages / galleries done but it is not yet 'published'.  I wonder if I am trying to be too ambitious, too soon.  This website will showcase all the media and genres I incorporate into my artistic life.  I would also like to organize a 'shop' but that may have to come later - better to go 'live' and see how it operates in public first.

So, some successes and inevitably a few non-starters.  Why not 100% success?  With hindsight I was probably over ambitious in my expectations, but human nature plays a big part.  I am sure many of us make resolutions and most of them will have fallen, been broken or completely fail to get off the ground before January has even passed.

Did you make any resolutions in 2013?  Try a review - and then make some more for 2014!!!

Happy New Year! 

A look back at sketching in Rome

Ooops, apologies for the long gap since my last post.  With hindsight I often think, 'oh I could have blogged about that'.  The secret is obviously to post little and often.  Well, that's one New Year Resolution decided!

Sketching at the Trevi Fountain, Rome

At the end of October I had a fantastic 4-day break in Rome.  I had high hopes of all the sketchbook work I would get done - buildings, ruins, cafes, piazzas and fountains...  Well, that was rather ambitious in the end. Paul and I went with two friends and had a brilliant time, Rome certainly exceeded expectations, but there was very little time to pause and paint.  I amassed lots of photos which may come in useful at some point, but admit I am disappointed that I failed in my mission. However, here is my meagre offering...

On the aeroplane...

 

Ruins, but it was the Pino (Pine) tree that attracted my attention

Rapid sketch in Moleskine sketchbook with Edding pen 

We managed to see all the big sights - the Vatican and Sistine Chapel, St. Peter's Basilica, the Roman Forum, the Coliseum, the stunning National Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II, Trevi Fountain and much more.  Lots and lots of walking, but I have never been to a city with so much history in a relatively small area.  It is said that if you toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain it ensures you will return to Rome one day.  We all obliged, but I really would love a return to this amazing city (with a bit more time to actually slow down and get some sketchbook work done).

Tomorrow I will introduce a few more pieces of work done recently and between Christmas and New Year I shall review the Resolutions I made at the beginning of the year - it will be interesting to see how I've done.   

Starting a Blog

How do people start a blog? 

I love reading blogs about creative people - artists, textile designers, illustrators, crafters, photographers - but they are usually well established blogs and I never get to see that crucial first post! So, being quite a logical organised person (professionally speaking) I shall set out my aims and hopes for this blog.
Deep breath; here goes...
My aim in this blog is ultimately to chart my journey as an artist as it unfolds.  The ups and downs of living a creative life.  The little seeds of inspiration - where do they start?  Often they pass unoticed and then arrive onto the scene, sometimes fully formed but also sometimes as elusive intuitions that can cause muddled thinking and confusion in the work.  The passage of time, along with reflective thinking, can create new directions.  Or maybe just a diversion.  A mini project which may run alongside the main threads of the artwork generally.

Looking back can help an artist move forward.  Sounds like a contradiction but it has helped me in the past, especially when I have felt 'blocked' or my confidence has dipped.  So, from time to time I will introduce you to a piece of art I have created in the past.

a blast from the past

However the most important thing is going forward.  My two daughters have just finished university and my son finishes his college course next month.  They are all making plans for their futures.  It's time for me to do the same.  I have happily settled into a little niche and need to spread my wings a bit more - get some interesting projects on the go.  The art classes I teach will continue but I must make better use of the time outside of these.  By writing about my hopes and dreams they should encourage me to take positive steps in making things happen. 

studio view through the window 

Finally, my blog title is Creating Art and I plan to show work in progress, plus sketchbooks.  I love the process of making art.  Because of the classes I teach I freely work across a wide spectrum of art materials and with a range of subject matter.  I offer my work, philosophy, hints and tips and reflections to you in future posts.  Please join me on this amazing journey - I would love your company and feedback!

I'll leave you with some more views of my gorgeous studio...

studio in winter

 

interior view

hard at work