Creativity – Page 5 – Home Office Charm

Considering the art display situation: Is that so wrong?

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.

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.

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.

Moss Art

Art & Illustration

I started painting and using Moss. There seems to be a trend with moss and using it in those IKEA box frames.

But I wanted to do something different. I integrated paintings with moss art. It is a bit of a continuance of the work I do with herbs dried flowers and things like lavender in art.

I know I’m not the first person to do it because I’ve seen recently how some of the top website artists and creative people have been integrating dried flowers to make their hair look big. And this picture shows me using moss simply by adding some texture to enhance the grass.

The other thing in this picture that stands out is the texture on the top of the frame. I found a new way of integrating my love of decorative nail trim.

15cm acrylic painting with gemstones & moss and decorative nail trim on a round canvas.