Author: Glenis

Purple Reign II: Cortège Sketching

Symbolism & Storytelling in Art

It was sad that Queen Elizabeth II died on Thursday, last week. I didn’t realise. I was at a work party. Then, on my way home, I saw all the adverts on the bus shelter portray TFL’s tribute/ perhaps public announcement. This is because all digital posters were saying the same thing. They all said Queen Elizabeth II 1926 to 2022 on a grey background. It was not too unlike the image below. That was my first indication that something had changed. I was very surprised.

Today I have been watching her coffin leave Balmoral and travel to Edinburgh. The road from Balmoral to the East is a road I had also travelled when I lived in Aberdeen as an MSc student at the University of Aberdeen. When the BBC TV presenters were calling out the towns like Banchory and Stonehaven as well as Donatoar Castle while the beautiful helicopter camera view of the journey televised its hearse tracking, it brought back my good memories of the Scottish countryside. It also felt quite moving.

Today it felt fitting to create some etchings and quick paint sketchings and draft paintings in royal purple. These are unfinished works. Below are images using purple. I sometimes shy away from purple, but since Queen Elizabeth II’s death, I’ve seen the Empire State Building shine her image amidst purple lights. Purple is currently a big theme.

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin is due to arrive in London via Northolt Airport (not far from where I live). I remember going to Northolt airport 25 years ago to watch Diana’s coffin arrive from Paris, and I (with some friends) watched it travel down the tunnel for the A40. In fact, I’m inclined to go to the A40 on Tuesday to pay my respects to Queen Elizabeth as the hearse makes its way into central London. If I get any pictures, I will post them here. The ritual of watching dignitaries and their coffins travel by road via TV reminds me of when I watched Nelson’s Mandella televised coffin travelling to its burial site in 2013. It is amazing what TV can allow you to do nowadays.

Considering the art display situation: Is that so wrong?

Personal Reflections

I was filming my art and editing the MP4 files for a long time (see picture below). Then after a week, I decided that I wouldn’t say I liked the movies and thought these images of the painting as originally imagined being placed (see the project showcase (https://homeofficecharm.com/portfolio/snaps-of-the-lampshades-in-situ-as-imagined/).

Image of black screenshot of my Camtasia editing. To illustrate how I edit my movies.
I used Camtasia to edit movies for reels but didn’t publish them in the end. I think IG might have an easier editing function. I’m sure Camtasia is great for other things.

All the editing gave me time to reflect. I make the paintings small so that people like me still doing online teaching or online meetings can adorn their shelves with some backlighting that will sit on the shelf. I know that as an artist, it is a big no-no to consider the end user. But I cannot help it. Just as you consider the support for the artwork, I believe you should also consider where your artwork will be placed in your home or office, probably because of my business background. And thus, I’ve always found it easy to imagine where people might place my art.

Finding Affinity in The Black Fantastical

Exhibitions & Events, Symbolism & Storytelling in Art

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.

  • Swarovski Crystals are used to let eyes sparkle
  • Mahogany and crystals used
  • Interesting texture with gems
  • Raffia trim on artwork with 24K gold
  • 24 karat gold, string texture

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 & Illustration, Personal Reflections

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.

  • Three of the four mixed media I created on the course
  • six images showing the paintings, tools and products used.
    Mixed media with pouring, skins with resin pools
  • Mixed media tools
  • Products for making the board.

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.

My work area for 2 weeks at CSM
Even the floor is crafted at CSM with small blocks of wood on The Street runway
After pouring before the resin

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

Personal Reflections

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