Tag: Local inspiration & activities

Art about Black Lives: It Really Does Matter Where Displayed

Personal Reflections

Who would have thought that Margate would be where I would discover a gallery floor full of art about the black lived experience. This blog tells the story of what I discovered and what it meant to my own future art practice, especially when considering how and where I would like my art displayed.

Continue reading “Art about Black Lives: It Really Does Matter Where Displayed” →

First Signs of Spring 🌼 2023: The Cotswolds

London Culture & Places

Visiting old friends in the English Country side. I managed to capture rare Images of flowers starting to bloom at the arboretum.

Magnolia, fir and other trees in bloom in early spring 🌱 English countryside Cotswold village.

So it’s a short post this week, the pictures of flowers I might use in a photo collage project later.

Such a joy to listen to the birds and film the early spring blooms.

There is Still Life in My Pencil

Art & Illustration

I’m growing more confident and intrigued about my mark-making. I am confident because I managed to get some tutored practice last week at my regular new art classes. It is enlightening to see my finished works against others in the still life class.

Some artists go for realism, where their sketching looks exactly like a photo of the object. I’m in awe of those. However, others like me don’t. I struggle with getting it real. It might be that I don’t have the patience or the looking skill. But when I complained that my marks were not exactly like the set up to my teacher, instead of giving me tips to make it more real, she said that was what Van Gough did. This linking of my marking type to an old master reassured me. It also made me curious to see more of Van Gough’s work. Some of my favourites from Van Gough are below. I like the milk jug. As you can see, I show the screen grab with a ring around my favourite of his illustrations.

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,