Mmm, just returning to blogs after a long break. Just trying to figure if this works for me. I’m really keen to document how I work which I’m hoping will support research into creativity (i.e. to create a detailed insight tool which can reveal the pattern of creativity). I’m also wanting to collate information which can support creation of a book on the development of my work which also reveals day-to-day shaping of projects and ideas).
A brief overview and account of my day-to-day creative rhythm….
Over the past year I’ve been developing this new site. I’ve been busy on both the planning side and have got into a better rhythm of creating works. I’ve managed to identify and scope out the 3 key exhibitions that I’m looking to create. I’ve also been developing an Arts Lottery application for a practice development grant. I’m constantly balancing my internal drive to realise my vision with day-to-day concerns including fitting around 2 young children. I’ve taken at moment to getting up a few hours before them each day to plan (which really supports with my creative thinking). I usually start with thinking about to do list, or financial planning and then when I’ve thought about that side I’m then give myself permission to think about creative projects or how to develop my work forward which can include web or Go Create planning. After about 2 hours I have satisfied my creative self that getting kids up, ready and the school run just seems like permission to give myself a break. On return I need time to unwind after the hectic 2 hours of prepping backs and the whole trying to get kids out of bed, constant prompting to get dressed, setting deadlines, getting one to sit for her hair to be brushed and ensuring breakfast is consumed, shoes are put on and being able to get out the door by 8am – which can be challenging. I then ease myself back in by focusing on tidying the studio and putting a wash load on. I try to do a bit of sorting in the studio and whilst not trying to think I gradually flit towards tasks and slip into productivity. By 10am I’m trying to head to the office to start admin tasks. With each task finished I return to my creative space to work on something before I think of the next admin tasks I need to complete. I get out the house to deal with top-up shops, grab lunch and try to get back to work at 2pm to squeeze in a final 2 hours before collecting the kids. I try to get more creative in these final 2 hours and to capture the sense of enjoyment before setting off to collect the kids, make dinner, to get two lots of homework complete and 2 children to bed. At the weekends its getting much easier to work around them and I can also grab painting time or plan as they take part in clubs…
Painting overview
I just sent some more large acrylic floral works to a ballery in East Sheen last week.Acrylics are wonderful for stop-start painting patterns because of the rapid drying time which also illuminates any risk of paint being carried through the house. There is no danger if a child brushes up close to a work and no toxic fumes.
At the moment I’m a little torn between the production of works at the moment and wanting to work on larger collections on the acrylic side, One requires that I produce more mainstream work and the other demands that I experiment and plan up work in a different way. At the moment I’m reliant on the large florals in galleries as I’m looking to hold back the oils for an exhibition in Summer 2020. Both oils and acrylics require planning up and I’ve been hauling out canvases and supports from dry storage. I’m looking to exhaust existing supports before buying more. I always start with what I have to work out if any more supplies are required. My house is now full of canvases and I’ve got a lot of canvas removal and re-stretching to do.
With my Margate collection I’m trying to access what might work in a gallery. Although I’ve entitled this a Margate collection, I’m seeing that the people in the scenes are more interesting that landmarks. However its important to break up an exhibition – in terms of canvas scale to ensure the creation of a dynamic exhibition but also to ensure that visual rest and variety whilst still achieving a sense of collection. I’ve been sketching out works on fresh canvases in acrylics and placing canvases around the office studio. I’ll do as much as aI can in this space but know that if I then put works in a different space that my requirements might change again – i.e. this is a bit constrained but it gets me some of the way. I’m only therefore likely to know when I have a show where I’ll possible make a new set of decisions as to what I maybe need to create. This at least gets me going knowing that I’ve already made decisions that will greatly support how a collection works together.
On the floral side, I’ve started to incorporate foliage. I’m essentially wanting to create an exhibition which can be themed on wellbeing but I need it to focus on plants and therefore not just flowers. Therefore I somehow need to keep incorporating foliage into new works but I’m still creating works for galleries – in reality I probably want to continue the large florals (I find the creation quite satisfying (other people may not get that but the nature in which I paint means that layers of paint gel to create abstractions. I’m therefore addressing composition but also refining layering and gradually working with mixed media or refining varnishing techniques through this collection..
