Aug 2022 – Home Office Charm

Finding Affinity in The Black Fantastical

Art Exhibition, Artists, Chris Ofili, Creativity, Fantastical art, Local inspiration & activities, Mixed media, Paintings

I saw the In the Black Fantastic exhibit at the Haywood Gallery. A big show of artists from the African Diaspora. Including Chriss Ofili, Nick Cave, Hew, Locke and others. Below is the full list of artists at the In the Black Fantastic

Artists at In The Black Fantastic

Wangechi Muto
Lina Iris Viktor
Hew Locke
Nick Cave
Tabita Rezaire
Rashaad Newsome
Ellen Gallagher
Chris Ofili
Cauleen Smith
Kara Walker

I was excited to feel a sense of affinity developing as I saw the work of these artists. That sense of like mind arose because many of these famous artists used gold or gold leaf, some used gems or Swarovski crystals. I saw gemstones sprinkled and how some used raffia trim as fringing on the edge of a painting. Others used fringing within the painting.
I loved the idea of fantastical art as it is an escapist emancipatory healing kind of space to work within as an artist.

I get a sense of hope, but it is not blind hope. It is the kind of surreal conceptualisation of the future that recognises the hurt that has gone before in a beautiful way.

In the Black Fantastic is showing at the Haywood gallery London until 18th September 2022. It is a little awkward to get there. The nearest entrance is on the south side of the Waterloo bridge,

Increasing my Marks

Art-lessons, Creativity, Mixed media

I recently did an intense course at CSM. It was nice to return to UAL, but to be a student this time.

It made a nice change to discard my old identity as of teacher there and allow some time to learn new mixed media techniques and sharpen my painting focus.

The images show the canvases I am working on and the development of ideas.

The work includes photo transfer, collage, dropping, pouring, oils acrylic, resin, quartz, sand and using paint skins. It was good to have an established artist give voice to my ideas and my approach. I feel more confident in labelling and placing the context of my artwork and how it fits into artworks that have gone before.

I learned and developed my technique so much. It was fascinating to note how the choice of support, whether canvas, board, and the type of gesso, are also part of the media as they impact the overall effect and desired look and feel of the painting.

Watch this space (project showcase) for how the course will influence my future paintings. I’ve got so many ideas and cannot wait to share them with you.

On film

The college’s media person captured my making process and came back to ask if I would do an interview that they would film. I declined the interview for a range of personal reasons. But I am happy to say you might catch sight of my hands painting in the future ads and social media content for Central St Martins when they promote their courses.

A reward for giving to the arts

Art Exhibition, Local inspiration & activities

This week I have been developing my mixed media practice by doing an intensive full 10-day course at CSM. More on that in a later post.

However, the weekend took my sister and me out to explore our local high street, introducing her to all the amazing colourful things the different shops provide.

I took her to our local cinema, an art house cinema converted into a cinema from an old library on the high street. It also has an art gallery which you can see in the featured picture, above. They do life drawing sessions there on a Wednesday.

I was one of the founding members. During covid, I donated more money than I would normally to a project or charity because I love film and I like my local high street.

The cinema developers/ organisers then rewarded us by calling us early donators, The Founder Members. And to express their appreciation, they recently put our names on a plaque in the cinema doorway.

A long gold plaque with names against a white wall a sign on the left pointing to toilets and tables on the right for a seating area. The plaque is titled Founder Members Act One Cinema — The plaque at the doorway of Act One cinema celebrating and thanking donators

Recognition

It was a delight to see my own name on the plaque. I remember them asking how we wanted our names in an email. I can see other people who asked to express themselves, their groups, or their family. However, I am with just my name on the plaque. It is nice to get recognition and public reward for giving to the arts.

Raising funds for another screen.

The cinema has another goal to get a second screen. If you would also like to give to the arts, here is the link for their current fundraising round. https://www.spacehive.com/actonesecondscreen

Watercolour Conversations

Art Exhibition, Artists, David Remfry, Home decor, Paintings

I recently saw the David Remfrey exhibition at the Royal Watercolour Society. I was invited to the exhibition by my old friend Rick who knows the artist. Rick was pleased to see his likeness in a couple of David’s paintings.

The images below show my friend Rick pointing and repeating the pose in the painting “What the Night Tells Me,” which is normally in someone’s private collection.

We also met another watercolour artist at the exhibition (viewing David’s work, I think he was from New York). We had wonderful conversations about the different characters found in David Remfrey’s work. My friend was very proud to see his portrait in the painting, and the back story was wonderful to hear. I had heard the story before but seeing the painting in real life while he explained how he knew David and his partner made the tale more significant and profound.

**Left:** The Dancers is my favourite painting by David Remfey. **Right** his 2022 book

Visiting the exhibition was a real treat for me as a dance and art enthusiast. I was delighted to be given a signed copy of David Remfrey’s book there (it was my birthday). Book title is David Remfrey Watercolour by Royal Academy of Arts and Royal watercolour Society 2022.

I loved how exquisite the paintings were. The impromptu gathering of people was magical. It set off an intriguing, informative and interesting conversation about watercolour art. As someone that uses acrylics mostly, the visit inspired me to try out doing a watercolour series of paintings/ creations at a later point.