Back to University

I've done what I said I would and produced a number of collagraphs to start printing up at uni.  I've had my first tutorial with Stuart Whipps for my final module and he has said okay to do the processing but I need to underpin it with context.  I am currently thinking about the things that I return to again and again for this.  My programme needs to be uploaded by Fri 14 Oct so only a week to get that sorted.

In the meantime, and what I've been doing since my last post, my mother-in-law has been extremely ill in Milton Keynes - spent her 90th birthday in hospital so my sister-in-law is over from Australia; and a long time friend has died very sadly after a three year illness.  I've also been to London, to Hartlepool and to Anglesey for holidays.  Had a new bathroom and loo and have had a bit of a Stanley Spencer fix going to Sandham and Cookham and again to Compton Verney to see the garden paintings which on balance turn out to be his lesser works albeit very interesting.

Trying to up my photographic skills so am doing an evening course based at the Botanical Gardens. 

Creative Collagraphs

This two day course at the RBSA Gallery which I attended this week was conducted by

Celia Nancarrow

Celia Nancarrow graduated in Fine Art in Birmingham and now specialises in collagraphs. The infinite varieties of materials that can be used in creating a collagraph make this type of printmaking particularly exciting, and using both methods of inking up (intaglio and relief) creates a unique image. The work can be abstract, figurative or have the simplicity of a Japanese Print. Some prints express themselves better in black and white than in colour and vice versa depending on the subject matter or mood that is being expressed. The work usually has a theme and is developed to produce a series on that subject. For example there are 8 different prints based on the mystical island of Anglesey. Its ephemeral light qualities and ever changing moods are a fascination and the challenge of reflecting the extreme tonal values inherent in the Welsh landscape can be met by the flexibility of the collagraph.

I used one of the photographs that I had taken of Clemens Street as a starting point:

I am quite pleased with what I produced and will be constructing a number of collagraphs ready for when I return to uni in September.

Calligraphy

Just started a Saturday drop in session in foundational handwriting at The Pen Room in Birmingham
www.penroom.co.uk - a really fascinating place.  Good tutor too ... Sandra Sandilands http://magistrauk.blogspot.com.  It's very therapeutic and calming to be writing carefully but very difficult too ... you think that you have got a handle on one of the letters and it then slips away ....

RA Summer Exhibition

Well my family have returned to Australia, I am now recovered from pharyngitis and various complications.  Went to the RA Summer Exhibition in London and had a super super time.  The following artists were particularly of interest:

Julio Brujis - Takayama (Collaged Photographic Prints); Guy Sargent - Place des Heros, Arras (Architectural Photograph); Richard Kirwan (Giclee print)
Anthony Whishaw RA (Acrylics) Anthony Eyton RA (very much enjoyed his oils - particularly Two Rock Forms, Uluru), Tom Phillips RA The Remains of the Day I & II - oils which had been cut into sections and re-applied to the background like a mosaic) + his epson & silkscreen works ; Keith Tyson's Deep Impact; works by Barbara Rae RA; prints from Bill Jacklin RA; Jim Dine; Melvyn Petterson; Norman Ackroyd RA (St Kilda - Soay and the Cambir Etching was particularly appealing); Rob Ryan, Sir Nicholas Grimshaw PRA; Eileen Cooper RA; Max Marschner (White Dog - photo etching); Jennifer Dickson RA; Anthony Frost's abstracts (just been reading his recent interviews); Celadon vessels from Edmund De Waal who I also saw in Middlesborough but who Catherine reminds me is the author of the Hare with the Golden Eyes which is my next read.  Back to the exhibition with stunning works by Ed Ruscha of Ghost Station a mixografia print on handmade paper a snip at £11,700 and wonderful; and Anselm Keifer.  What a great thing it is to have all these artists together!  I could go on but ... just to say that it was really good to see Paul Hipkiss' relief print of Towanroach Pumping Engine House from Chapel Porth Beach.  But where were submissions from my tutors?

New Camera

Well it was new a few months ago when I went to Focus on Imaging and brought it - a Sony 390.  As usual I am a slow burn on new equipment but went to the Botanical Gardens and took some pictures although I'm not sure that the colour is quite right.  Back to the manual .... oh, there isn't a manual!

These are unmanipulated and I am quite pleased with the composition.

Summer Holidays!

The main thing this summer is a visit from my Auzzie family which is half-way through ... having a great time being a tourist going to the London Eye, to the Natural History Museum (dinosaurs), to Warwick Castle, The Black Country Living Museum etc.  My granddaughter particularly wanted to go to see Westminster Abbey and I think we were all 'blown away' by its history and majesty.  Definitely worth another look in the winter when there are fewer tourists (what are we if not that?)

Went to the Compton Verney private view for Stanley Spencer & Capability Brown summer exhibitions at which Sir Roy Strong gave a very good speech.  Planning to go to the SS museum in Cookham to see Spencer's War - the Art of Shipbuilding on the Clyde with friend Catherine.  We are also due to go to the RA Summer Exhibition at the end of the month - this will be my first time there.

While in London with the family, nipped in to the National Portrait Gallery - 20th century portraits always interesting - particularly how the artist has interpreted the sitter.  Saw the BP Portrait Award but was rather puzzled by the overall winner.  Good standard otherwise.

Aims for summer - some holiday - Art in Action at Waterperry Gardens - Creative Collagraphs course at RBSA (prepare something for next RBSA selection panel) - Festival of Quilts at NEC - more photographs - learn how to use new camera - prepare for L6 final year at BCU.

Oh yes, I have pharyngitis so haven't been able to speak for a week ... two more to go apparently!

Widow Tree

I produced some drawings of what I had in mind from the Widow Tree

My next steps were to buy some thin ribbons and use some wool that I had in the house to produce my Widow Tree - I looked around for different types of branch and it seemed important to use one that was old and obsolete. Of course, the branches used in Germany are fresh and green.

It was quite therapeutic threading the ribbons.

I quite like the contrast with the previous German pictures.