Laura Scarlett

Dusty Portrait

2008-09-07T22:03:00.001+01:00

This painting for my mum is now finished. Hope she likes it.

IMT - Create Against The Clock

2008-08-24T23:20:00.004+01:00

I Set myself the challenge of one hour to do this portrait. My mum had one of her "Dusty" books out so I just randomly picked this picture and tried to do a quick watercolour sketch.

I may go back to this later and tidy it up, add in some detail and finish it off.

Will hopefully manage to do something for the 10 minute challenge by the end of the week too.

IMT - Opposites

2008-08-24T23:09:00.005+01:00

Well I've been having a miserable time doing a new self-portrait. (Right) Approached it in totally the wrong way - and it became a real pain. I don't really know what went wrong, I think I was trying to make it too perfect - really real rather than expressive and that just never works. Its impossible to paint a portrait that way - that's what photographs are for I suppose.

Anyway as an antidote I took inspiration from the IMT theme and made something totally opposite. As simple as possible - block colours in a pop art Julian Opie- style.

Still Loving London

2008-08-20T20:07:00.007+01:00

I'm now working on the end of course essay from art history school. I 've just come back from another trip to London, where I studied the two key works I'll base the essay around.

"Supper at Emmaus" by Caravaggio and "Equivalent VIII" by Carl Andre.

While I was there I also visited the Tutankhamun exhibition at the O2 Arena (slightly underwhelming) and the Queen's modest out of town pad..

.. Windsor Castle (totally overwhelming).

They were having an exhibition to celebrate the 60th birthday of every one's favourite Royal , Prince Charles. I quite enjoyed it actually because it featured some of his original watercolours. I know he gets a lot of grief about how rubbish they are but I was quite impressed. I like his style - I'm especially feeling his wet-in-wet technique! :) Are the Royals an art-centric bunch at heart? I'm thinking Charles - watercolorist extraordinaire, William & Harry - former art students, and Princess Eugenie of course "The Brightest Ever Royal"!

The Queen certainly loves her art. She has the most amazing collection. I was totally overwhelmed to see the two Rembrandt portraits and a small selection of Leonardo papers. But herein is the problem.

She has Caravaggio, Rubens, Rembrandt, Vermeer, Stubbs, Monet, Dürer... plus the finest collection of Da Vinci drawings in the world (over 600!). However very little of this collection is available for public display which is outrageous considering it officially belongs to the British people .

Sort it out ma'am.

Loving London

2008-08-20T19:57:00.004+01:00

I was in London last month on a residential art history school. We looked at artistic genres through the ages and the studies were based around trips to the British Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern.

I had a terrific time. Life changing in fact! The little taster of student life has shown me that I should be at university for real. It would be really good for me and I'm sure I'd love it.

So I'm starting an art foundation diploma in September and will hopefully progress to a fine art degree in 2009. My aim is to move to London for uni, the most amazing and inspiring city for the arts. (After my last two trips I've got 2 pages of art ideas written down).

I've realised I need to start making the break away from here, parents, my home town, the same old things. So I'm super excited and full of creative energy at the moment. Really looking forward to starting college in a few weeks and the start of a 4 year student odyssey!

Flirting with Feminism

2008-08-20T19:13:00.008+01:00

Inappropriate choice of words?

Well I'm becoming more interested in feminism. It all started when I read "Women on Top" by Nancy Friday, as it says on the back "Guru to a generation of feminists" (Thank you Daily Mail). I did go through a phase of being obsessed with femininity or whatever at the start of the year, there was Poetry and everything! Feeling a proper grown up, a woman. Yes its taken me 23 years to settle into it, but better late than never.

There is so much moaning goes on about being a woman and how much crap we have to put up with but I'm at the silver-lining of that angst cloud right now.

Now I get what the Guerilla Girls are saying about abundant naked ladies. But isn't that the closest we get to Heaven on Earth? Women are beautiful, fascinating, muti-faceted, perfect .. and if ever any subject demanded such artistic inspiration and investigation surely it is she. So why not more women artists (in galleries)? By the same logic, don't we have anything to say worth listening to? Are we to be aesthetically admired but not understood?

Another problem I'm having is with the violent clash between the flirtatious,
vivacious, bombshell (baby!) against the practical, astute, in-control woman. And never the twain shall meet. I realised I was getting into feminism at the same time as those great vintage pin-up posters. And felt slightly guilty about it..

I hate that whole thing that women cannot be both alluring, sexually devastating yet not be taken seriously- as artists, as writers, by men, by other women? Can feminists flirt? So I'm into exploring the psyche of the pin-up right now and am working on a few ideas.

The final word here to "The Sun" newspaper, that great British institution who have a rather unique approach to the juxtaposition problem. I can't help but think they're spoiling us actually. Not only does their page 3 girl shows us her lovely bosoms each day but also has her own caption box to comment on the political issue of the day. Nice.

Jewellery; but not mine

2008-08-20T16:52:00.003+01:00

I've also started buying some jewellery for myself recently (I don't usually wear it). Here are some of my recent purchases.

I'm loving rockabilly, pin-up type designs.

I'm totally in love with the tattoo art designs of Kathy at Swallow Kisses on Etsy.

So I'm inspired to inject my new found interest in younger more unusual jewellery to my usual jewellery making.

So I might actualy make some new things for myself - why didn't I think of that before?!

Jewellery; Still

2008-08-20T16:44:00.007+01:00

Every now and again people ask me if I still make jewellery. I kind of neglect putting any on here nowadays. However I was recently asked to put together a special collection for a pink and black themed summer ball.

Here are a few pieces I made:

An Exhibition

2008-08-20T16:33:00.004+01:00

I took part in an exhibition called "Heaven on Earth" in Huddersfield a few weeks ago.

I exhibited my paintings Grief, Dream Landscape and Crucifixion. It was a great show and I'm really pleased I took part. It was terrific to have people respond to paintings I'd made (particularly Grief!) and want to talk about them.

It was also a great opportunity for me to meet other local artists and see their works. I'd love to get more involved with my local art scene and am going to keep an eye out for more opportunities like this.

A Brillante Award

2008-08-19T20:32:00.005+01:00

Thank you Pattie blogging Queen, and my eternal artistic inspiration, for this new blog award.

The rules of accepting are as follows:

1) Put the logo on your blog.
2) Add a link to the person who awarded you.
3) Nominate at least 7 other blogs.
4) Add links to those blogs on yours.
5) Leave a message for your nominees on their blogs.

Here are my favourites:

Jessica Stride

Niki Kelce

Peggi Habets

Carra

Carol Huddleston

iTkUpiLLi

Radha Ramachandran

58 days Later ..

2008-08-19T20:11:00.003+01:00

Yes I did just count.

For the purpose of this post, imagine me looking slightly guilty and embarrassed. I haven't written on here for two months - eek!

I have actually been working this week on a painting about why I haven't been blogging (!) -above- if you believe that. Its part of my master plan to take procrastination to a whole new level.

Its mainly arty reasons which have kept me very busy. I've been to London a couple of times to visit the galleries again. (I really like London, so much so I've decided to live there! But that's another story...)

So its going to take me a couple of posts to get up to date here and a while to catch up at Inspire Me Thursday.

Missed you all

L x

Painting Music

2008-07-31T23:54:00.026+01:00

You know how people ask if you could have written any album then which would it have been? Well for me the answer is the debut album by Kasabian.

I can so appreciate the creative innovation and expertise in this music in the same way I can in a Caravaggio painting. Absolute perfection in composition - multi-layered genius.

Although not from this album, look no further than the song "The Doberman" for a composition both majestic and ingeniously subtle.

Yes okay, I am being slightly OTT but for me this album was huge. I have never really got into music or found anything to get passionate about until now. Also with this album, I realised that I perceive so much of life in a vision of colours. Smells, taste, sounds - seeing music as layers of vivid colours and shapes.

So I set about painting the album and here it is:

Club Foot

Processed Beats

Reason Is Treason
I.D.
Orange
L.S.F. (Lost Souls Forever)

Running Battle
Test Transmission
Pinch Roller
Cutt Off

Butcher Blues
Ovary Stripe

P.S. You may think this the ramblings of a synaesthetic freak but that's what blogs are for right? Besides I felt the only way to really come back from a long blog-drought was with a totally impractical and incomprehensible mammoth post.

IMT - Bring a Child's Art to Life

2008-06-22T14:21:00.015+01:00

This week at IMT, we are inspired by South Korean photographer Yeondoo Jung’s series Wonderland, a collection of amazing photographs in which he brilliantly brings children’s crayon drawings to life.

You can see an example above. Its so funny!

So to the attic I went and dug out loads of my old pictures and drawing books. It was really exciting finding all these mysterious dusty papers wrapped up in old carrier bags. Great to look back on these things and all the stuff I'd forgotten I did.

Now I can't recreate the pictures as photos like Jung (wish I could though) but what I did was to make Plasticine models based on some of the characters I drew.

A strange peacock

Heart lady with basket (I think this one might be about Easter?)

I love this theme - its my favourite ever and I had so much fun with it. I'm going to do a couple more things based on my old drawings and I'll post them in the next few weeks. Meanwhile here are some of the other favourites I re-discovered.

And what about this one ... very Rothko? :-)

Hope you all had as much fun with this theme as me. Can't wait to see what everyone has come up with. L x

The Tragic Tale of The Tulip

2008-06-16T21:23:00.004+01:00

I am submitting this painting for Inspire Me Thursday: Find Art In The Everyday. The whole idea for this painting came about after something which happened a while ago.

My mum had some lovely red tulips growing in the little bit of garden we have (basically a plant tub!). They were just flowering and looking really pretty. One weekend a few young girls came along and just pulled them all out, some by the roots and others breaking off at the stems. It was really pointless and annoying. When we went down the street later, they had just left them torn up and thrown in the road.

I was pretty upset about it and the flowers looked quite tragic just laying there in the road. So for some reason I decided to take this photograph of one, which turned into the painting in my sketchbook. So I suppose something good came out of the experience and I did find art inspiration in what happened.

IMT - Hummingbird

2008-06-12T14:25:00.004+01:00

Hummingbird is the theme this week at Inspire Me Thursday. The picture above is a quick sketch I did.

The pink one here is from the IMT website. I'm not sure where it is from or who the artist is but I really loved it and took my inspiration from there. I made a simple sketch in white ink on black card.

Its a negative image because I've used the white to draw the darker shades and shadows.

Drawing Without Lifting ... Still

2008-06-04T15:30:00.000+01:00

IMT - Orange and Purple

2008-06-01T22:00:00.003+01:00

Another one of my scribble pictures for IMT. I finished it a few days ago but didn't know what colours to paint it. So then when I saw the "Orange and Purple" theme this week it was super synchronicity.

IMT - Whimsy

2008-05-29T00:16:00.003+01:00

This is my painting for "Whimsy" at Inspire Me Thursday. The first time I've painted on a proper canvas! I know it doesn't look very whimsical (!) but I'm working with the first definition - an odd or fanciful idea.

The idea for it came about while I was studying my art history text book. I was reading "The Foundation and Manifesto of Futurism" by Marinetti. Its a seriously immense and intense bit of writing.

He wrote the first part of it as a strange and nightmarish adventure, working all kinds of metaphors about the need to move forward from the Symbolist art movement and embrace modernity.

It was originally published in the French newspaper "Le Figaro" in 1909 and launched the whole Futurist movement. They embraced new technology celebrating speed, war and dynamism.

He goes on to write an 11 point "Futurist Manifesto". Its full of action and aggression, violence, revolution. Destruction of the dead art, liberation from the past. Lots of hatred, injustice, fury and defiance. I found it amazing to read and started sketching out the ideas and imagery I had for the painting there in my text book. I decided to go with it and this is the painting I made.

If you want to read more of the article you can do so here.

IMT - Crayons

2008-05-23T00:44:00.004+01:00

The theme at IMT this week is crayons. I knew I had some somewhere and I found this box of painting crayons on a shelf. I've never used them so I thought this week would be a good excuse to give them a try. They are a bit like watercolour pencils to use.

Its another Race For Life drawing. I'm just obsessed with it at the moment - really excited!

Race For Life

2008-05-22T20:29:00.006+01:00

I'm running the 2008 Race For Life marathon this year. It is to raise money for Cancer Research UK. I'm really excited because I got my running number through the post today. Not long to go now - its held on the 1st June so one week left.

Its something I thought I'd never be able to do but I'm going to give it my best and hopefully I'll get through it! I've been doing some special training at the gym so fingers crossed.

IMT- Doors

2008-05-12T23:26:00.004+01:00

I decided to use the most famous door in the UK for inspiration this week. So here are post-victory Mr and Mrs Blair outside Downing Street.

It was based on this photograph of them and did look fairly straight forward to begin with. But I thought it looked a bit boring so I stencilled over it and generally messed it up a bit.

The result is something totally different to what I'd normally come up with so I was quite pleased with it.

Irises

2008-05-12T20:12:00.005+01:00

Just finished this painting of some irises. It is an exercise from the book "Creative Watercolour Techniques". I am quite pleased with it, although you can see its nowhere near as good as the one on the cover of the book. I really liked that picture - the vibrant style and unusual techniques. Its what made me pick up the book and I would recommend it if you are looking to try something new with watercolour.

The effects in my Irises painting are achieved with wet in wet painting, masking fluid and salt.

My mum said she liked it and has asked me to do two more so she can hang them in the bathroom. She likes daffodils and poppies so I plan to do those two next.

IMT - Envelope Art

2008-05-04T19:13:00.004+01:00

This is a portrait of my penfriend Ina. I immediately thought of her when I saw the "envelope art" theme because she sends me the most beautiful letters all decorated with stickers. She also collects postcards so I've made this one so she can have a really unique one to add to the collection. I painted it on one of those special "draw your own postcard" watercolour papers.

IMT- Rescue, Reuse, Recycle

2008-05-04T18:47:00.006+01:00

Catching up with the Inspire Me Thursday art..

I used as inspiration this odd bit of scrap paper on the left. I've been keeping it for ages. I had used it to print off the excess wet paint from a picture at my art class so I could roll it up to take home. It made such weird random prints on the scrap paper that I kept it. One of those things you hang on to with a vague idea to use "one day".

Anyway the IMT challenge inspired me to dig it out and reuse it. So I added lots and lots of paints & pastel and made a colorful random design following the suggestions of the marks already on the page. I used the paint thing to brighten it up and make the colours really zing.

IMT - Medical Art

2008-04-30T16:32:00.003+01:00

A painting for IMT this week based on a photograph I took in the British Museum of this Preserved Egyptian Man. Kind of related to medical art - I thought it was an interesting and unusual subject for a painting and I really liked the range of colours. Its not finished yet. I will add in some of the background. They reconstructed the grave pit in the museum with various items he may have been buried with - so I'll include those too eventually.

I've been really busy these last couple of weeks and have got a bit behind with IMT. I am working on something for the "Rescue, reuse and recycle" and "Envelope art" themes so I'll post when they are finished.

Best Wishes Everyone.

Team Harry Round Two (Revenge of the Hamsters)

2008-04-14T00:39:00.006+01:00

Thank you everyone for your support of Team Harry in the Your Pet v My Pet. He won round one with 51% of the vote. Just snatching victory from the little pink paws of Honey the Hamster.
Almost beyond belief in round two he was up a against another ginger hamster called Honey! Poor boy - Harry is going to grow up with a serious complex about ginger hamsters!
Oh dear Harry lost out to Honey in the second round. Don't underestimate the power of the "caramel" hamster.

Good luck to Honey in the next round. She (?) is up against a dog called Baba who likes to lick the couch.

How we love our crazy pets.

http://www.orange.co.uk/communicate/galleries/mypetvyourpet/pics/2091_8.htm?linkfrom=communicate_galleries_mypetvyourpet_pics_2091_7&link=link_next&article=mypetvyourpet

IMT - Peace

2008-04-06T01:17:00.005+01:00

The creative prompt at Inspire Me Thursday is "Peace". Celebrating 50 years of the peace symbol.

I wanted to make mine as happy and hippy as possible. I started by drawing the symbol on my cheek with eyeliner- (I don't know why, think I was trying to get into that whole festival thing).

I scanned and printed the photograph. Then I added lots of colour, various peace signs and words.

Healing Arts Journal

2008-04-05T21:59:00.004+01:00

I just wanted to share with you The Healing Arts Journal by Catherine Whipple. Its all about art therapy and has lots of great art projects for you to download and fill in like the one above. This is a journal page all about what art means to me. There are also mandalas and colouring pages.

A good website which is definitely worth a visit.

Harry v Honey on Toast!

2008-04-05T14:31:00.004+01:00

Hi everyone .. this is shameless but please vote for my kitten Harry in My Pet v Your Pet.

Its a pet cuteness contest. In his first round he is up against Honey the hamster 4 time winner!! At the moment Harry is trailing with 48% of the vote. So please vote for the underkitten. :-)

Here is the link:

http://www.orange.co.uk/communicate/galleries/mypetvyourpet/pics/2091_8.htm?linkfrom=communicate_galleries_mypetvyourpet_pics_2091_7&link=link_next&article=mypetvyourpet

Thank you

How I kicked myself! Should have sent this photo instead. What a missed opportunity - we could have had an edible pets theme going on...

Easter Post

2008-03-30T17:13:00.003+01:00

Hi everyone. Hope you had a great Easter. Sorry this Easter themed post is a bit late - I've been too busy eating chocolate!

I had a nice Easter and was feeling quite creative. I painted a Crucifixion painting (above). Not really my usual sort of thing but it came out really all on its own so for that reason I like it. I love those moments when a painting just comes together fairly effortlessly and you really feel satisfied that you get across the emotion on the page.

A special arrival for us was out new kitten Harry. As you can see he is beautiful. He is now nine weeks old and is being very playful and naughty. I named him after Prince Harry who I also love but in a quite different way! :-p

Painting the Negative

2008-03-25T14:05:00.007Z

White Plum Tree

White Plum Tree is a painting I did based on "Flowering Plum Tree" (left) by Van Gogh, which was in turn after Hiroshige. Little bit of art re-cycling there!

I've used it as inspiration for an exercise in the "Celebrate Your Creative Self" book by Mary Todd Beam. It is called painting around the white. You paint in the negative background shapes leaving the the subject of the painting white. I also flipped this plum tree one round just because it looked more interesting that way once it was finished.

Here is another painting I did using the same negative painting style.

Loose Loose Landscape

2008-03-13T19:12:00.002Z

This is a painting I just finished. I am getting a bit uptight with my sketching. I think its my new portrait class (very stressful). So I just wanted to get it out of my system and do something free and more expressive. Plus a landscape too which I never do.
It is painted in acrylic with a little bit of ink and soft pastels.

I like it and I feel so much better now.

IMT - Kitchen

2008-03-11T03:45:00.002Z

I'm obsessed with Cluedo this week. We had a Cluedo Saturday at my house last weekend and I won the sum total of five pounds. :-)

So when I saw the theme at IMT was kitchen I looked to my favourite (if slightly macabre) board game for inspiration.
So here it is ... murder in the kitchen!

I should be..

2008-03-07T01:29:00.001Z

You Should Be an Artist

You are incredibly creative, spontaneous, and unique.

No one can guess what you're going to do next, but it's usually something amazing.

You can't deal with routine, rules, or structure. You're easily bored.

As long as you are able to innovate and break the rules, you are extremely successful.

You do best when you:

- Can work by yourself

- Can express your personality in your work

You would also be a good journalist or actor.

What Should You Be When You Grow Up?

Yey!

Lots of rules

2008-03-07T00:41:00.005Z

I've had my eyes opened a bit this week at my new portrait class.

When I'd run out of time at the end of the session the man next to me looked at mine and said "Hmm has anyone actually ever taught you the rules of proportion?" Ouch (I didnt think it was that bad!)

Of course nobody had. I've studied art for years and nobody has ever actually taught me how to draw or paint in a technical sense. It just never happened so I've always made it up as I went along.

I did see them this week in the class holding up pencils and rulers and doing a lot of squinting. To be honest I didn't know what this is supposed to achieve but thanks to my friend next to me I am enlightened!

So I've got a book out from the library and can now learn the eyes are supposed to be exactly in the centre or the head (I always put them about two thirds up?!), three eyes across, four noses across, nose and ears same size etc etc.

Does anyone else actually do all this?

It might be a bit hap-hazard but I like the style Ive developed. Its mine and I developed it (blagged it) as I went along. When people "teach" you how to draw and paint aren't they just teaching you to draw like them? Its something I've been pondering.

Anyhow it can't do any harm to read up about all these rules so I've got homework to do now before my next class on Wednesday.

IMT - Leap

2008-03-07T00:17:00.002Z

For Inspire Me Thursday "Leap"... Wait let me explain ...

I feel I've made a big leap forward this week. I've been feeling sorry for myself and not doing much (see last post). But I made myself go out on Wednesday and do something. Painting makes me happy so I decided to join a new art class. I've been wanting to for ages and was finally brave enough.

So this is the very unfinished painting I did there. Its a lady called Anne who was our model. Not great but its a move in the right direction.

Glad to be getting back on my creative feet (if you see what I mean)!

Fed Up but Finally Finished

2008-03-07T00:01:00.007Z

I've been having a bit of a miserable patch the last couple of weeks. Haven't done very much of anything. I'm finally snapping out of it and getting things done.

So here are a couple of self-portraits I've finally finished. Thanks to Pattie, M. Heart and Laurel for your kind words of encouragement when I got stuck Before with the first one.

As ever once I can actually drag myself out of bed and sit at my desk to paint it becomes easier. By painting about what is troubling me it helps me move forward and let the (in this case) grief and anger go. Phew ..

So here is a self-portrait of me grieving after the loss of someone very very dear to me.

This one is about reaching out for help when I felt I was drowning.

I want to mention Pattie's post Focus which helped me out when I was feeling down. Thank you.

Stages of Grief (!)

2008-03-06T23:38:00.006Z

Here is a little post about how I made the portrait "Grief". I took pictures of it as I was making it so I thought - why not put them on here? You can see how it progressed (very stop-startish over about a month).

I dont't know why I take pictures as I go along. Its like when typing a word document and you save as you go along. I think the habit has transferred to my paintings. If only you could return to a saved point when it all goes wrong!

First I made a sketch onto the paper from the photograph I took. I painted in the head and arm with acrylic. Then the background in plain acrylic.

I didn't know what I was going to do after this. Only that I wanted to somehow suggest some inner-chaos or upset. But I didn't know how..

I decided upon collage and tore up bits of newspaper. I glued them down and painted on some layers of Gesso ready for it all to be painted over.

Butterflies

2008-03-02T20:40:00.008Z

Here is an interesting piece of art I saw at the Tate Liverpool. A really eye-striking collage by Damien Hirst which looks like a stained glass window. It caught my eye from right across the other side of the gallery and I was thinking how beautiful it was. So I went over to have a closer look... .. Then ugh!!

Made from real butterflies. Loads of them stuck down on the canvas. Amazing - totally and equally beautiful and repulsive at the same time.

I'd told my mum about it and described it to her. She got me this scarf as a gift because she thought it sounded just like the picture.

Here my cat Mora got herself wrapped up in it for a snooze. So from repulsive and beautiful to just beautiful and cute. I don't think Damien Hirst would be v. amused!

A Page of Moras

2008-03-02T20:38:00.003Z

I was watching TV with my cat Mora asleep beside me. She looked so cute I had to sketch her and ended up with a whole page of Moras!

Self Portrait Quiz & Happy 100!

2008-02-18T22:22:00.006Z

Here is a little self-portrait art quiz a friend sent me. Have a try if you like and click below for the answers.

** I've realised this is my 100th Post ! **

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who reads and comments on this blog - you keep me going and keep me inspired.

Man Caught up With a Yellow Object

2008-02-18T22:03:00.002Z

At Tate Liverpool they have these postcards (shown below) for you to fill in the piece of art you saw while at the gallery which really spoke to you. For me that was "Man Caught Up With A Yellow Object" by artist John Latham.

I posted it in their comments box and filled in all my info. They say they will be in touch if they decide to publish comments. I don't know where they publish them (!) but I'll let you know if I hear from them.

Dusty Bracelet

2008-02-18T21:32:00.003Z

I'm not making as much jewellery as usual at the moment, but here is a special bracelet I made last week. It is for the Dusty Springfield Fan Club (which my mum is a member of) and will be auctioned in a raffle raising money for several charities including the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
It is a charm bracelet spelling out "Dusty" and the colours - pink and purple were Dusty's favourites.

Art Pilgrimage Part Three

2008-02-18T21:10:00.006Z

Tate Liverpool

I'm back now from my third art gallery inspired holiday for 2008. I was visiting the Tate gallery in Liverpool. Tate Liverpool is a great little gallery at the Albert Docks. I went on a school trip a few years ago but it was nice to go back and do some more exploring.

Despite a series of embarrassing events travelling on the coach down there I had an interesting few days in the city. They are very chuffed with themselves for winning European Capital of Culture 2008 and have got a lot of special events and attractions on to celebrate. I got totally lost one day and came across a big art supply and discount bookshop which was quite exciting!

So thats it for holidays now. I had booked a trip to go to Italy but it has been cancelled due to lack of intetest :( I'll be keeping occupied with my Humanities Open University course for the next 9 months. I'm also hoping to join up to some new art groups in my local area.

IMT - Illusion

2008-02-18T16:45:00.003Z

Can you see the dragonflies?

This is a page from the Creature Camouflage Colouring Book - Hidden Exoskeletons. Its a great book because you can either camouflage the creatures or create colourful markings and have them stand out.

I love colouring in books and I've got loads of them - I don't care if they are for children! I like to do them just watching the TV or listening to music.

I did this one with watercolour, colouring crayons and pen.

Prince Of Wales - Jnr

2008-02-09T20:20:00.000Z

I'm reading a book about the Royal Family and love this quote from little Prince William at school.
"My daddy is the Prince of Wales and he can beat up your daddy."

More Thoughts on Beautiful Women

2008-02-08T17:34:00.001Z

I thought this was an interesting follow up to "The Perfect Face" post.

IMT- Face

2008-02-07T22:19:00.000Z

I saw this article in a magazine. What do you think ... perfect?

Hmm ..I think I'll stay as I am!

For "Face" at IMT this week.

Visitors Overheard

2008-02-06T20:37:00.000Z

Here are some more of my Tate Modern sketches - other visitors this time. I find it really interesting to hear what other people have to say about art and how they react to it - especially modern art. I suppose I'm a people watcher - its really addictive.

This guy here actually caught me doing this sketch of him which was quite embarassing! :-)

Guides Overheard

2008-02-06T20:29:00.001Z

These are based on a couple of quick sketches I did when I was in the Tate Modern in London. If ever I see a guide giving a talk on a painting I try and sneak in at the back to listen (if I can get away with it)!

Partly because I want to learn more about the paintings, partly because Im nosey!

IMT - Glass

2008-02-05T16:13:00.001Z

The theme at Inspire Me Thursday this week is "glass". Here I am posting a study I made on glass, painted with special glass paints It combines various aspects to represent the idea of nature and I was trying to achieve an effect similar to stained glass windows. I did it ages ago at school!

Sorry for the bad picture - it is hard to get a good one because the flash reflects on the glass.

The picture is mounted on a frame with tin foil (!) behind. It creates these really nice effects of ripples in the colours where there are wrinkles in the foil.

Taking It Personally - Advice please ...

2008-02-02T21:47:00.001Z

I'm really fed up today. Been working on the above painting of me (not looking my best!). My mum just saw it and said "I really don't like that. It's awful." So I'm sulking now and feeling quite disillusioned with the whole thing.

The trouble is that unless I'm doing a painting of a vase of flowers, kittens or something "nice" my mum hates it. I guess she is the main person who sees and comments on what I do, so I do take it quite personally when she says things like that.

I get her point that it is kind of awful in a way. Thats is what the painting is about.

To explain - I had just last week lost someone very close to me. I went into a kind of strange stage of shock for a few days where it really didn't sink in. Then all of a sudden it really hit me late one night. This is a painting of that moment. Its just me trying to make sense of the world, myself and dealing with the events that are thrown at us.

Its like the quote this week at IMT "You use a glass mirror to see your face; you use works of art to see your soul." (George Bernard Shaw). Its really a painting of how I feel and to that end it is very personal and important to me.

Am I being too sensitive?

How do you other artists cope with (non-helpful!) critisism like this and not let it get you down?

Tate Modern

2008-02-02T20:06:00.000Z

Here is a photo of The Tate Modern. I loved it there. Its the second time I've been - the first was on a school trip so I wanted to go again and explore it in my own time. I was in there so long I was thrown out at closing time!

These are four of my favourites from the day. Linen by Natalya Goncharova, Three Points by Henry Moore, Scylla by Ithell Colquhoun and Night Vision by Fiona Rae.

This is Ishi's Light by Anish Kapoor, a sculpture in fibreglass and resin.

When I was stood in front of this I did a quick sketch of my reflection in it (see below) which was upside down and really weird - like looking at your reflection in a spoon.

When I did a bit of further reading about the sculpture, I discovered that the artist was aiming to create a unique kind of experience for the viewer when standing in the folds of the orb-type shape. He was very keen to play with the light and the way in which it was reflected and distorted by the shapes and texture of the sculpture. So I'm quite pleased with my little picture now because I think the artist Anish Kapoor would have approved of this response.

Reflected In Ishi's Light

Art Pilgrimage Part Two

2008-02-02T18:59:00.000Z

Visiting The National Gallery on a rainy day in London.

Hello everyone.

I'm back from my holiday in London. Following on from my trip to the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam I was traveling to London to visit The Tate Modern and National Art Galleries.

Here are a couple of my highlights from the National Gallery.

The Crucifified Christ with the Virgin Mary, Saints and Angels by Raphael

I managed to join one of their free guided tours and my favourite painting here was The Supper At Emmaus by Caravaggio.
An amazing painting to just stand in front of and absorb. But to have the guide to tell us the story behind the painting and about the artist's aims was brilliant. There are so many aspects of technical genius in this which were totally radical (and not always well recieved) at the time. I eventually understand foreshortening too, at last.. Kind of.

Caravaggio seems like a very interesting character and I'm looking forward to learning more about him now I'm back home.

I was really excited about seing Sampson & Delilah, one of my favourite paintings at the gallery. I must have spent almost an hour walking round with my little map trying to find it. When I finally got the bottle to ask where it was, the man said it was on loan abroad. Oh well..

Many tongues

2008-01-25T05:49:00.000Z

About the different languages I spoke and heard while in London.

IMT- Stepping out of my comfort zone

2008-01-23T22:23:00.000Z

Stepping out of my comfort zone this week with my trip to London. Especially the tube which is very scary when you're claustrophobic like me. Eek!

Art Pilgrimage Part One

2008-01-23T21:11:00.000Z

To start off the new year I decided to fulfill an ambition and go and visit my favourite ever painting. "Crows Over Wheatfields" by van Gogh. It is at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam. This painting truly changed my life and is where it all started for me. The passion and emotion in this painting was profound to teenage-me when I first saw it in a book and learnt about it. So to see it in real life was amazing and quite emotional all over again.

So now when I look at it I can see lots of new things there. For example there is a hair from the paintbrush stuck in the paint just above the big cloud!

I wanted to capture and remember the moment and how I felt right there in the gallery.

This is the second little painting here - of that moment and my thoughts.

It was a great experience and a good start to the new year for me. I've as much as possible decided to just go for it. Do and see the things I've always wanted to. Stop putting things off and dedicate time and energy to the things I am passionate about.

On The Road

2008-01-23T20:47:00.000Z

To pass the time of the long car journeys on my trip to Amsterdam I did these sketches. This first one is of things I saw from the window of the coach when travelling from Rotterdam into Amsterdam. It was quite a dark rainy day as you can tell. Although I did get to see a windmill which kind of made up for it :-)

The second one here are a couple of pages from my new mini-sketchbook. What I do is just move the pen across the page gently and the bumps in the road make the random spikes and shapes. I've just coloured them in back home to make them look more interesting.

I used to do this when I was little travelling in the back of the car. I'd run my finger along the condensation on the window and the bumps and turns in the journey would make my hand fling about allover and make patterns on the windows.

60 Random Questions

2008-01-10T19:44:00.000Z

Thanks Ina for this.

1. What time did you get up this morning?

6.30am - Thanks Captain Woodhouse!

2. Diamonds or pearls?

Pearls - freshwater iridescent black.

3. What was the last film you saw at the movies?

I Am Legend on the ferry 2 days ago.

4. What is your favourite TV show?

CSI (the original and the best).

5. What do you usually have for breakfast?

Kellog’s Crunchy Nut or sometimes a marshmallow - a white one.

6. What is your middle name?

Ann

7. What food do you dislike?

Beans make me cringe. Honestly.

8. What is your favourite CD at the moment?

“Sing Away The Sadness” by Paula Ryan.

9. What kind of car do you drive?

Ugh I don’t - driving is too stressful. The last car I drove was our Nissan Micra to my Grandma’s house.

10. Which is your favourite sandwich?

Tuna, red onion, black pepper & cucumber. From Moon on A Stick (Random name for sandwich shop!).

11. What characteristics do you despise?

There isn’t one I despise.

12. Favourite item of clothing?

My Harley belt or maybe my Land of the Giants T-Shirt.

13. If you could go anywhere in the world for aVacation where would you go?

Just one place? Iceland, Croatia, South Africa or ideally a long round the world trip. I know - I’m spoiled.

14. What colour is your bathroom?

White

15. Favourite brand of clothing?

Don’t have one

16. Where would you retire?

Scotland

17. Most memorable birthday?

18th for all the wrong reasons.

18. Favourite Sport to watch?

Snooker.

19. Furthest place you are sending this?

Cyberspace!

20. Who do you expect to send this back to you?

Michael, reluctantly, when I bully him to do so. And ‘cos we rock the random questions.

21. Person you expect to send it back first?

---

22. Favourite saying?

Not a saying but my current favourite quote is “I’m rushing ahead like a painting locomotive”. Van Gogh.

23. When is your birthday?

19th December

24. Are you a morning person or a night person?

A 2am-person.

25. What is your shoe size?

8 :-(

26. Pets?

Beautiful Hoppy and Mora.

27. What did you want to be when you were little?

A barmaid!

28. What are you today?

Undiscovered

29. What is your favourite candy?

I’ll take it all.

30. What is your favourite flower?

Don’t like the smell of flowers (bad job experience at a florists) but I’ll say a white rose for Yorkshire.

31. What is a day on the calendar you are lookingforward to?

13th January, my trip to London.

32. What church/temple do you attend?

None

33. What are you listening to right now?

My dad talking on the telephone, (Multi-tasking) he just said “I got another bloomin flat tyre.”

34. What was the last thing you ate?

Fish & Chips (good to be back home baby)

35. Do you believe in Angels?

Yes

36. If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?

Yellow

37. What is your pet peeve?

People reading the newspaper from back to front.

38. Last person you spoke to on the phone?

Dad - right now.

39. Favourite soft drink?

Orange juice dilute.

40. Favourite restaurant?

Samarkand Indian restaurant in Heckmondwike

41. Hair Colour?

Red

42. Siblings?

Nope

43. Favourite day of the year?

Birthday, but did it have to be so close to Christmas?

46. Hugs or kisses?

Hugs

47. Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate

48. Do you want your friends to e-mail you back?

Yes of course and with random facts.

49. When was the last time you cried?

Yesterday when I saw my favourite painting at the Van Gogh Museum.

50. What is under your bed?

My cat.

51. Who is the friend you've had longest?

52. What did you do last night?

Sailed on the ferry from Rotterdam to Hull.

53. Favourite smell?

Creasort - is that just me?

54. What are you afraid of?

Children

55. How many keys on your key ring ?

2. Despite my dad’s continued efforts to give me keys to front door, back door, shed, garage front, garage back, gate …

56. How many years at your current job?

...

57. Favourite day of the week?

Saturday

58. How many towns have you lived in?

One

59. Do you make friends easily?

I don’t know really - do I? Yes I think so.

60. How many folks will you send this to?

Anyone who reads my blog.

Sketches Three

2008-01-06T23:02:00.001Z

Still experimenting with the "draw without lifting" sketching. I like the style and technique of this because it is easy, quick and expressive. Also it takes me away from my usual drawing style. When you can't lift the pencil from the page you can't obsess about the next line, where the pencil should go next, does it look right? etc. Just keep going, keep drawing.

The Wolfman & Other Cases

2008-01-06T22:24:00.000Z

I've been reading about three of Freud's most famous case studies, that of Little Hans, The Ratman and The Wolfman in the book shown above. I know that Freud is kind of outdated and out of fashion compared to today's psychotherapy and counselling methods. Quite possibly his analysis of these three patients is nonsense. Yet I always had a lot of time for psychoanalysis when I was studying psychology. The idea of the unconscious mind fascinates me. The way he suggested it manifests itself in our conscious life or through dreams.

I'm also interested in the subject of dream interpretation because I suffer myself from reoccurring nightmares. I seek insight and understanding into them in the hope that if I discovered what it is about the past that still disturbs my mind I might be able to let it go. Does it work like that? I don't know.

Anyway for both Little Hans and the Wolfman I've drawn the ideas, dreams and memories the patients were troubled by plus the things Freud interpreted from them. Its kind of like seeing someones subconscious mind there on the page. That is what I was going for anyway.

Its Freud so expect lots of disturbing scenes, nakedness and phallic, well, everything..

Little Hans

You can read more about the case of Little Hans Here and that of The Wolfman Here should you be interested .

The Wolfman

Not a pretty sight!

I was planning to do the Ratman too and make it a trio of paintings but the night after I finished the second painting I had the most truly terrifying nightmare myself. Really horrifying. Is it because of the paintings? Either way I'm definitely leaving this subject behind now.

IMT - New Year Resolutions

2008-01-06T21:55:00.000Z

~ Let go ~ Create without restraint ~ Be expressive not self-conscious ~ Trust to instinct & creative passion ~ Let them reveal themselves on the page ~

I wrote in my diary at about 3am on new years morning. (I always seem to get creative bursts at about this time!) I wasn't planning to make any new year resolutions, but now that the theme for IMT has made me think about it, I realised I made a big one right there and then in my diary.

I had something on my mind and on the page, I just began to write a poem. I've never written one before, don't know how to and didn't think it was my sort of thing. But at that moment it just seemed the natural way to express what I was thinking. So that experience demonstrates my resolution for 2008. To be creative and expressive without restraint. Without feeling self-conscious about the way I do it - just go with the moment and whatever feels right. Even if its out of my comfort zone - let go.

So here is the poem:

What draws me to you?
Between us is a bond nature made.
No man can understand let alone break.
Together we are strong.
I am not a one, I am a whole.

Its about getting in touch with feminine energy, with being a woman, with mother nature. Women being strong together- the creators and nurturers. After I wrote it , I illustrated it returning to the imagery and symbolism I'd used in an earlier painting about femininity (on the left). The colours, lines, shapes. I developed it into a full painting and here it is..

My celebrity look-alike

2008-01-04T20:44:00.000Z

I checked out my celebrity look-alikes at myheriatge.com. I chose Janeane to morph into because I like her. How weird is it? Its how I'd look with proper eyebrows I guess.

IMT - Best of 2007

2007-12-29T20:31:00.000Z

From Inspire Me Thursday this week: The Best of 2007
"This week let us look back upon the past twelve months and reflect upon the best of 2007… perhaps a moment you were at your best. Choose something that stood out, something you will remember 2007 for."

I'd been having a rough time earlier in the year so I took a break to Stirling in Scotland. It was the best thing I did. Just to get away from everything and spend time in Scotland. I cannot imagine finding a more beautiful place on the planet.

There was one amazing life-affirming moment, which for me fits perfectly for the theme this week. Here is a photograph I took at that time and place. Everything just seemed okay and it was one of those glad to be alive moments. It is taken at the top of the Old Town Jail in Stirling. Its something I'll never forget and its also the moment I fell in love with Scotland. I keep this photograph in a frame in my bedroom to remind me of how I felt. It cheers me up to remember it if I'm feeling down. I've been back since and am hoping to travel there again in 2008.

For the artwork, I'm sharing 4 postcards I got when I was there. I know they are for children to colour in (!) but I really liked them and I've just finished painting the last one tonight so I can post them for this. They are the Scottish heroes William Wallace, Mary Queen of Scots, Robert The Bruce and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Happy New Year to everyone. I hope 2008 brings more of these moments to us all.

Forgery or Tribute?

2007-12-29T16:24:00.000Z

I've been thinking about the fine line between forgery and tribute. Attempting to master the style of another artist and absorb yourself in their work or a shameless rip off?

At school we always used to copy famous art works or the work of an artist we were studying. I read in "I was Vermeer" that Michelangelo used to borrow classic works of art in order to copy them, but he returned the copies, keeping the originals for himself.

So here are a few I faked earlier, while I was at school. The first is from Lisa Yuskavage's "Kathy on a Pedestal" and the second is my attempt at "Siamese Smile" by Chatchai Puipia.
I remember trying to decide what to paint for an exam piece and not being satisfied with any idea I came up with because it had been done before. Another artist had painted about those themes, or in that style, or about the same subject. When I explained my frustration to my art teacher I always remember him saying to me that its impossible to ever produce anything new in that sense. Everything has been done before.

So how do you produce an original artwork? I suppose it is by bringing yourself into the work. Putting a part of you - of your life - into the canvas. Anyway this is what I've been musing on this weekend and I painted this picture about it. I got the idea form one of those vintage type French posters. I have one on my bedroom wall which I bought ages ago from a second hand shop.

I Was Vermeer - Art & Forgery

2007-12-29T15:49:00.000Z

I've just finished the book "I Was Vermeer" by Frank Wynne. It is a true story about artist Han van Meegeren, one of the most famous forgers of the twentieth century. His fake Vermeer "Supper at Emmaus" was a Dutch national treasure and the most visited painting in the Netherlands. In fact, when Han was arrested and confessed many still refused to believe this was a forgery as it was simply so good. In order to prove he had the skill to produce such a genuine-looking Vermeer, the courts had him paint "a new Vermeer" watched by guards.

It was interesting to read about the fascinating subject of art forgery. Firstly I hadn't realised how widespread forgery of the masters is. Over the years many paintings have been "improved upon" or doctored as fashions change. Bits are cut out (often Joseph from the Holy family to create a more saleable Madonna & child), or bits repainted.

Michelangelo's fresco on the Sistine Chapel alter "The Last Judgement", shown right, was painted with the figures naked. Pope Paul III's advisor was shocked by the "shameless display of flesh" and an artist was commissioned after Michelangelo's death to add bits of cloth to cover up the figures.

Secondly it takes an awful lot of skill and talent to forge Vermeer-type works of art. Firstly the forger must be intimately familiar and competent with the style of the artist they are attempting to copy. Many forgers are themselves failed or unrecognised artists. Van Meerger was himself a very skillful painter in the style of the old Dutch masters like Rembrandt. Unfortunately for him he was born about 300 years too late. He was painting just as modern art - Dali, Picasso, Mondrian - were transforming the art world. Nobody was interested in Han's old fashioned style.

In addition to artistic skill the forger must have an excellent practical knowledge of the canvas and paints which would have been used. Han bought genuine old canvases which he painted over. He couldn't use the new paints which were now available in tubes but had to mix them from the raw materials like lead or lapis lazuli, as Vermeer would have done. There is also the problem of giving the aged appearance. The craquelure is almost impossible to artificially produce. Simply baking a painting would produce cracks too uniform and would distort the paints and canvas. Han experimented with this for years and eventually built his own oven, using a complicated system of varnishing and baking the paintings.

More Sketches

2007-12-28T23:04:00.000Z

Just another page of quick sketches, done without lifting the pencil, of my surroundings today. I coloured and paitned it in tonight.

Photography Fan Two

2007-12-28T16:31:00.000Z

Here is a photograph by Monica Ford which I love. I think she is an extremely talented lady and when I came across her work on the Internet at a random hour in the morning a few days ago I was just dumbstruck by the visual impact her images posses. You can read an interview with Monica Here.

At the moment I'm becoming more and more keen to, without wanting to sound pretentious (!), experiment with and explore what it means to be a woman. I'm starting to develop a real sense of inner strength and pride from being a woman and this is something I want to try and develop in my own paintings. The thing I like about Monica is that she creates these characters herself, and uses them, it seems to me, to delve into what is it to be a woman and the many roles we have. Whether we contrive and exploit them ourselves or if we are put in that position by others. Its an interesting area.

Aside from all that stuff I am just struck by the genius way Monica captures the beauty of women. The way she photographs the female body. Truly there is nothing like the female body for artistic perfection. Or is that just me? Maybe! I do tend to go through random phases of becoming obsessed with painting "the female nude" much to the embarrassment of my parents and art teacher who censored my end of year show! Maybe I'll paint a new one now just for you Mr Jones :)

Photography Fan One

2007-12-28T16:14:00.001Z

I met photographer Andrew Helm at a craft fair in Saltaire this year. I loved his work and as I become more interested in and appreciative of photography myself I wanted to share it with you here.

I especially liked this photograph "Petals and Leaves # 1" because I find the random shapes and colours make such a natural and beautiful composition. Andrew does not stage the photographs but just captures things as they are, this one from the forest floor. I think because these are dying petals people wouldn't usually stop to notice the beauty in them but photographed in this way I find it mesmerising. I think Andrew has a great eye for spotting this understated and hidden beauty and that's why I'm a fan.

Sketching

2007-12-26T17:46:00.000Z

I'm trying to start doing more simple, quick sketching. Just sitting down with my sketch book and a pencil with no big plans in mind and sketching objects around me or whatever comes to mind. I've been using the book "Art Escapes" by Dory Kanter as inspiration.

Here are a few examples I've been doing over Christmas. This first page was sketching without lifting the pencil of the page. From starting off drawing a teddy bear I filled the whole page and then added some colour with watercolour, adding more definition with a black ink pen. From nothing I like the way this gathered its own momentum and made a nice random page in my sketchbook.

This is a great exercise in "Art Escapes" when the prospect of just sitting down and starting sketching (anything!?) is a bit daunting. Draw lots of little two inch square boxes and fill them with quick two minute observations of your surroundings. Then you can go on to add colour, or develop some off the boxes into paintings or whatever.

Rose

2007-12-24T01:00:00.001Z

This study of a rose, painted in acrylic, formed part of my 2003 A-level exam in art. My mum now has it on her bedroom wall. After 4 years I have just now felt like I could sign it. I'm a bit weird about signing paintings and can't often .. but I really regret not dating them. I'm going to start doing so now.

Monica

2007-12-24T00:13:00.000Z

Painted this tonight in watercolour.

Cranberry Dancing Pearl Necklace

2007-12-23T20:47:00.000Z

Here is a last, last minute commission for a festive red necklace.

I've made it mainly with cranberry coloured freshwater dancing pearls. There are also Swarovski crystals, lampwork glass beads, Goldstone beads and golden leaf charms.

IMT - Open Topic

2007-12-22T17:25:00.001Z

Because its an open topic at Inspire Me Thursday this week I'm posting something totally different. Not something I've done but some Christmas cards my mum painted for my dad and me back in 1993! I've treasured them all this time.

The Mini one is for me. I don't know why but I used to always burst into fits of uncontrollable giggles whenever I saw a yellow Mini car. One of my teachers at school had one so I think that's where it started. Even now whenever I see one I have to have a sly smile. :)

The motorbike one was for my dad. Always a biker and a Harley was the dream bike, so here is Santa on one. I think he can totally carry off that look too!

Happy Christmas everyone!

Baubles

2007-12-22T01:02:00.000Z

I'm not sure about them but my dad really likes these beaded Christmas baubles so I've stitched him this one as a gift this year. It is with a kit from Spellbound Bead Company.
Hopefully he'll be able to keep it and put it on the tree each year.

It took a long time to make but I'm happy with it now its finished. I've tried to send as many handmade gifts as I can. I'm glad its all now finished and I'm really looking forward to people opening the presents. Only 2 days to go .. yey!

Dusty Scrapbook

2007-12-22T00:48:00.001Z

Here is another special Christmas gift for my mum which I have just finished. Its okay I can post it here because she doesn't read this.

She is a really big Dusty Springfield fan so I have made a Dusty scrapbook. I've used the K & Company Neapolitan Accordian Mini-Book set. This is a picture of it above plus some other ribbons and bits of pieces I started with.

It has 10 pages so I've devoted a page each to mum's 10 favourite Dusty songs. There are snippets of the lyrics and mum's favourite Dusty photographs too.

I've also made a compilation CD of the 10 songs (which fits really nicely in the round tin).

Here it is altogether. Hope she likes it...

RSPCA Christmas Present for Mum

2007-12-22T00:41:00.001Z

This is a Christmas gift for my mum. I usually get mum a cat or kitten calendar for Christmas. However when I was shopping for one I saw this RSPCA Photo Memories calendar where you use your own pictures each month.

So I have made mum a special cat calendar for 2008 with pictures of our own beautiful cats! What a great idea.

This is a picture of our cat Mora posing for January :-)

Men

2007-12-20T17:53:00.000Z

I have today finished the male version of my art sketches - I did one of women a while ago. The idea was to take famous examples of men and women in art and put them all together as simple sketches on a page like this.

The male one is based on paintings and sculptures by Picasso, Bacon, Da Vinci, Raeburn, Munch, Michelangelo, Reni, Rubens, van Gogh, Masaccio, Warhol, Rembrant & Toulouse-Latrec.

I have stuck the two pictures together to make an A3 sized finished piece. I really like how this one has worked out. Its a good addition to a series of works I've been doing about the artists and paintings that have inspired me. I might even put this up on my wall!

Summer

2007-12-20T17:45:00.000Z

This is a follow up piece to the collage I posted for the theme of "Ice" last week at IMT. Thank you to everyone who posted such nice comments, you inspired me to do this new collage.

Here they both are together. Bellow is a photograph of a painted window in my art classroom. I wanted to show it here because it inspired me to do the first winter-scape collage. I think its really pretty.

Strawberries & Nettles

2007-12-20T17:42:00.000Z

This is about school. Definitely not a happy time for me.

IMT - Giving

2007-12-18T23:50:00.000Z

For "Giving" at Inspire Me Thursday this week I am sharing some work from my final art therapy class where the theme was also giving. We all made a picture for each other member of the group. On it we painted two gifts we wanted to give them. One was an actual gift we could physically give and the second was an abstract gift idea. Then we actually gave the paintings to that person to keep.

The picture at the top here is a page in my sketch book where I have glued in the gifts from Michael and Eddie. From Michael the gifts were the path towards the sun and happiness and the gift of a degree and career in the area of art. From Eddie the gifts were the path towards happiness (:-)the same! ) - the yellow brick road and for my family to be together on my birthday - which was the next day.

Here are the gifts I painted.

Gifts For Carol

A good venue and lots of people to come to our next art course (hopefully there will be one!). Secondly a kind of mirror with which to see through our eyes the huge benefit and joy Carol has brought us with this art therapy class.

Gifts For Michael

A train ticket to go and visit family who live further north and in Ireland. Also the gift of connecting with a sense of roots when he plans to go back to where his family came from originally. Secondly a sense of feeling "home" and heritage in the landscape of Ireland.

Gifts For Eddie

A sketch book. Plus the gift of artistic creativity and inspiration. This is because after doing the course Eddie has really found a passion for art and wishes to develop it further as a hobby.

I just want to say happy Christmas to everyone at IMT and anyone else who reads this. Thank you all for your kind comments and inspiration. Best wishes for the holidays and I hope you all enjoy sending and receiving lovely gifts.

Studying Mammals

2007-12-15T19:25:00.000Z

I just got my exam result back this week for my Open University course "Understanding Mammals" and I passed! :-)

Just for the "aww" factor here is a picture of one of my favourite mammals - the red panda.

I'm very happy because I enjoyed the course which is a companion to the BBC series "The Life of Mammals". Hugely interesting and very challenging - much harder and more in depth than I thought it would be. It was very rewarding though - totally worth it. I wish David Attenborough was my Grandad a little bit now!

I'm very interested in learning about animals and how to care for them. It is something I'm hoping to learn more about in the future. I'd like to get more hands on experience doing this.

Speaking of which, here is a picture of my hands (honest!) holding William the cat. It was taken when I did some volunteer work with the RSPCA in Halifax.

As you can see he was very poorly and lost his eye after being knocked down by a car. His jaw was also wired shut but he was back on the mend when this photograph was taken - just having his stitches out with the vet. William made a full recovery and was adopted into a caring home by a member of the public who fell in love with him in the cattery.

Lovely happy ending!

Silence

2007-12-11T16:29:00.001Z

These pictures are from my art therapy class. The subject was "silence". In the first one I'm trying to show an idea of keeping an inner sense of calm and silence amid all the hustle bustle of those around us. It helps to block the rest of the world out when needs be but things can still get through and you can chose to become aware once again.

This quick sketch was a picture of the exact moment in my class. I am the yellow and white circle in the centre. Its like peripheral vision I suppose with sounds. Each of the interjecting colours and lines were sounds or people around me at the time. People talking, music playing and a digger outside too. I enjoyed doing this one a lot because it was so current. Every time I heard another sound I wanted to add more to the picture.

I think next week is going to be the last session due to small class size. I'm really down about it because this group has really been a terrific life line for me. I've been feeling so creative these last few months. I usually take the class on Tuesday as a jumping off point and build on the themes myself during the week. I've been painting so much recently- more so than I have ever probably done. I've also had confidence to try new things - photography, collage.

I just hope I can keep it up if the class is going to finish. Its so much easier when you are in a group with people and have a tutor to encourage you. It can be so easy to sometimes slip back into old habits and not be bothered to get up and do something. So I'm feeling quite worried today.

I don't want to lose what I've been working at.

Stretch Gemstone Bracelets

2007-12-11T16:25:00.000Z

Here are some new bracelets I have made. They are strung on elastic so they can come on and off without fussing with clasps. They are quite a flexible fit for people too.
Here I have used tiger eye, jade, rose quartz and onyx.

Inspirations

2007-12-10T21:36:00.001Z

This is a painting I've just finished. The idea came to me because we were asked to bring in something to art therapy class which makes us feel inspired. I thought of the painting "Wheat field With Crows" by van Gogh. My favourite painting ever.

But I didn't want to stop there - there are so many paintings, sculptures and artists that have fascinated me at one time or another. So I've made a collage here of some of the key works of art and artists to inspire me and make me want to learn more about art.

I've cropped little pictures so I can identify them individually here. They actually look better like this I think!

Sarah Lucas "Black & White Bunny"

Lucian Freud "Portrait of Francis Bacon"

Vincent van Gogh "Wheat field With Crows"

Tracey Emin, still from video "Why I Never Became A Dancer"

David Hockney "Nude 1984"

Martin Creed "Lights Going On & Off"

Edouard Manet "A Bar At The Folies-Bergere"

Jenny Holzer from "Inflammatory Essays"

Arnulf Rainer "Wine Crucifix"

Armand Fernandez "Condition Of A Woman"

Rineke Dijkstra "Julie"

Marlene Dumas "The Banality Of Evil"

Here are photographs of the collage as I made it. The first stage was to glue down the pictures and apply a layer of Gesso. I then painted onto the page. Filling in the gaps between the pictures and doing a little bit of painting on the pictures too to tie it all in. The final stage was to add some words, which you might be able to see on the finished picture at the top of the post.

IMT - Ice

2007-12-07T04:10:00.000Z

I decided to give myself a bit of a challenge with "Ice" this week. So I tried a collage - which is something I don't usually have the confidence to try.
Here I've tried to show winter - a snowy, icy and bitter landscape but with that sense of excitement that comes with snowy weather and Christmastime.

Leaf Bracelet

2007-12-07T03:38:00.001Z

I've just finished work on a special commission order for Christmas. It was for a version of my Autumn Flowers Bracelet but in shades of green. So I changed it from flowers to leaves.

This is the original bracelet.

Spider Mask

2007-12-04T01:21:00.000Z

Looking Back To Go Forward?

2007-12-04T00:18:00.000Z

I've been thinking a lot this last week or so about going to university. I did get a place to study at art college after I finished school at 18 but at the last minute I didn't go and got a proper job instead. A job which made me miserable as it happens. Did I do the wrong thing? Probably.

Now I'm older and hopefully wiser, I've been thinking about doing a fine art degree at university, giving it another go. I've got some soul searching to do in the next few months.

So I've had my old school sketch books out just to look back at the last time I studied art. Is this what I want to do again?

So I'm sharing a few pictures here from back in the day. 1998-2003

By the way, I'm not saying Liverpool is rubbish. Just that they have bright purple wheelie bins which I thought was cool! I've got a thing about how wheelie bins change colour in different parts of the country (my weird thing). They have red and brown ones in Stirling you know :)

Racing Sue

Bored, Bored

Sarah

Self Portrait

Othello

Women

2007-12-04T00:09:00.000Z

With Chapman Bros, Amedo Madigliani, Marlene Dumas, Andre Derain, Zoe Leonard, Vanessa Beecroft, Sandro Botticelli, Tracey Emin, Georges Broque, Gary Hume, Lucian Freud, Leonardo da Vinci, Rineke Dijkstra, Paul McCarthy, Pablo Picasso, Sarah Lucas, Paul Cezanne.

I just love this! I really enjoyed doing it too - looking through all my art books, pouring over all the fantastic paintings and being inspired by artists I love. I'm now working on a male version.

And if I can think of any other themes I may do more.

Explore Yourself Through Art - Reviewed

2007-12-03T18:12:00.000Z

I've been working through the book "Explore Yourself Through Art (Creative Projects To Promote Personal Insight, Growth and Problem Solving)" by Vicky Barber. I thought I would now share the work I have made doing the projects and write a short review of the book. Hopefully someone might find it interesting or useful - if you have thought about trying the book.

Creativity

Colour Exercise - Depicting a sentiment through the choice of colour. I chose "Creativity" which I painted as yellow. This often reoccurs in my paintings when I want to depict this emotion or feeling. The use of strong yellow and white is consistent and it is also significant to me when I leave out or block these colours. I suppose its my own kind of short hand when I'm communicating mood and themes. Its just how I picture these moods in my head.

Uninspired

Line Exercise - Using line to capture a mood or state of mind. The feelings I drew were boredom and being uninspired - the opposite of what I did with my first task on creativity. I used lots of rigid, strong dark straight lines which crossed over one another creating a cage or net shape.

Looking To The Future

Shape Exercise - Choosing one shape which sums up the way you are feeling at present. I am thinking optimistically about the future. Onwards and upwards - and I've attempted to convey that with dynamic triangles, striving upwards and in bright vivid colours.

The Scribble

The Scribble Exercise - Probably my favourite Exercise of the book. See my prior post Fun & Games for instructions on how to try this - its great!

"Laura"

Name Exercise - The activity here is about understanding personal identity. I thought about my name and drew images I felt were relevant to who I am at this moment. The things that go in to making up me - The thoughts and feelings I have. I've also put in some elements of the past which I think affect who I am now.

Mandala One - Me

Mandala and You Exercise - This is the first time I've made a mandala. I've seen them before but didn't really know about them. This activity in the book introduced me to the concept. In the first mandala the aim was to think about specific aspects in my life at the moment. Choosing colours and shapes to represent these things, thinking about their size and the way they affect one another in the circle. Again this is a positive mandala for me all about creativity, optimism and resilience.

Mandala Two - Problems

Mandala and Problem Solving - Here I've used the mandala to look at areas in my life that I feel need attention. I chose to concentrate on one particular aspect of my life in which I feel unsatisfied at the moment. Wanting to move out of my current house and set up my own home. There is also the desire to forge my positive yellow path through all the doubt and confusion, one which will hopefully lead me into a happier place.

Nightmare

Dream Exercise - I chose to draw a nightmare I had the night before. I'm often troubled by nightmares and I hate them. I hate the awful feeling of unease and distress that hangs around me all day when I get up. I feel like I can't shake off the feelings I had in the dream. So twice now I've painted dreams and I've so far found it to be quite helpful in getting rid of that feeling. I feel that by putting the images down on paper I can get them out of my brain and forget it. I'm going to keep trying this.

My review

I hope you found the exercises I've written about interesting and maybe you might feel like having a go at some of them. I also think it is a great introduction to the topic of art therapy. If it is something you are interested in, you can't go wrong with this book.

The exercises are interesting and not too daunting to experiment with. The activities gently ease you from your comfort zone and before you know it you've made some really insightful, personal and meaningful art. The book is really successful in doing what it claims - promoting personal insight, growth and problem-solving. Its a great way to take stock, do something refreshing and positive. Great too if you're having a creative block.

The exercises are easy to follow and there are examples in the book of other student's work with analysis. This really helps you to look at your own work in an insightful way, picking out feelings and thoughts which concern you at the moment.

The only criticism I would make is that I feel it is unlikely people will do some of the exercises - like the full body mask, carnival costume or making a medicine wheel.

Overall though I would highly recommend the book. I think it is well worth purchasing. I've got so much out of it - even in just the exercises I've shown here. I also think its a book I will keep coming back to, if I feel the need to loosen up or do a bit of mandala problem solving!

Brilliant!

IMT - Paradox

2007-12-02T18:10:00.001Z

This is my effort for the theme "Paradox" at inspire Me Thursday this week.

It is my response to the sculpture “Iraq War Memorial” by Daniel Edwards which depicts Prince Harry dead and in his military uniform. The artist is apparently "honouring those willing but unable to serve in Iraq".

Here is the BBC news coverage of the story : http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/7030133.stm
(What do you think of it?)

This sculpture has been troubling me for a while. I think it is good art but I really don't like it. So from this paradox I took inspiration and created my own tribute to Prince Harry and his service in the British Army.

It is based on this official photograph of Harry.

Also thanks to my friend Michael who encouraged me to embrace my love for Harry when he said "You dig the Prince?"

So the answer is yes. Yes I do.

Wine Glass Charms

2007-12-01T20:38:00.001Z

A new thought this year for Christmas - wine glass charms. They fit round the stem of the glass and I've made them to go with the Christmas meal table setting.

I have made four different sets. I wasn't sure if people would like them but they have been popular at the craft fairs and people seem to like the idea.

I don't think its possible to over glitz Christmas!

Jewellery Catalogue

2007-12-01T20:22:00.000Z

My jewellery catalogue is now finished - just in time for Christmas. I shall be sending copies out in the next week. Here is the charm bracelet page. It hasn't scanned very well but you get the idea. It has taken a lot of work so its a relief to finish. It is very exciting too to have my own catalogue. I'm looking forward to being busy with the orders.

Butterscotch Pony

2007-12-01T19:44:00.000Z

If anyone has a spare £300 and is wondering what to get me for my birthday ..

... I love this!

The Butterscotch Pony

"A life size Shetland pony you can keep in your room".

Just Genius.

Life Lines

2007-11-29T20:49:00.000Z

Well another week - another painting from my art therapy class. This week we were working on the theme of life lines and the work was split into two parts.

We started by looking first at different ways of making lines on the paper with paint. The idea was to paint very freely making marks with lots of random objects - rollers, brushes, straws, sponges or palette knifes. We were working to a piece of classical music too which really helped me loosen up and I think put that sense of movement into the painting. I did get rather carried away and did most of mine with my hands in the end - which was lots of fun.

I think I just love making a mess too!

After this first stage we took a moment to look at the picture we had made and look for the natural lines and shapes that had occurred. We then re-worked it concentrating on the lines and paths in our own lives. Does that make sense..?

I'd like to write a bit more about this because I think it is art therapy in the more traditional sense that people imagine. I'm finding myself becoming more and more interested in the process of therapy through art and maybe this could be a career I might like to think about for the future.

I'll pick out a few parts to explain in more detail.

Here I am in the centre of the painting with the many different lines and paths leading away. There are those I have taken and possible paths for the future.

This dark circle represents the past. My hand prints are on either side of this shape and this is me attempting to push the past away. Really a representation of me wanting to block negative thoughts and unhelpful memories from the past.

This dark red area at the bottom of the painting is the dark and negative place I can find myself in when I get low in mood. The wavy path here flows straight from the past to this awful place. Kind of like snakes and ladders - this is a snake and it shows that dwelling on the past is a slippery slope to this dark and negative place.

You might be able to see a path on the right which leads up to a yellow area. This represents a bridge into a much more positive and happy place. I often express creativity and joy from painting and being expressive as a bright yellow area.

Here is another image of the happy bubble. This is vibrant and creative and the place I want to be. Attached to this are white areas and bubbles which represent positive and nurturing relationships in my life - especially friends.

There are many crisscrossing lines and paths in this painting between these different sates which I feel represent the experiences I have had and will maybe go on to experience.

IMT - Thanksgiving

2007-11-29T20:29:00.000Z

At Inspire Me Thursday this week we are thinking about thanksgiving. I hope you all enjoyed the holiday in America and didn't each too much! Being English I can't really get into the traditional thanksgiving groove so..

I decided to concentrate this week (like last) on another thing I am grateful for. This is the happy times I have spent with my family. I also give thanks for those who may not still be around but enriched my life and help to give it meaning.

Yorkshire Sculpture Park

2007-11-27T21:18:00.001Z

Here are some photographs from my day out with my dad at Yorkshire Sculpture Park. We had a really good day and YSP is an interesting and inspiring place to visit.

It has indoor galleries as well as the sculptures outside in the park.

The artist in residence at the park is Andy Goldsworthy and I found his sculptures beautiful, magnificent and very clever.

You can see an example on the left. He works with natural objects and from the shapes and naturally forming patterns occurring in mud, trees or snow for example. He will also use these raw materials to create yet more intricate designs and sculptures.

I've got to admit I hadn't given much attention to Andy Goldsworthy in the past but I was really impressed by his stuff at YSP.

Here are my two favorites at the park - both installations in the gallery.

Andy Goldsworthy - Leaf Stalk Room

This first one is like a curtain falling from ceiling to floor. It is made entirely from Horse Chestnut leaf stalks. All these little tiny twigs are pinned together with Blackthorns. So the whole piece is totally natural - with no glue or nails. Each of the twigs is attached to another twig and so they go on reaching across the whole room. With the exception of the almost perfect centre in the middle. Really clever and thought provoking.

Andy Goldsworthy - Wood Room

This is essentially a nest inside the gallery. It is made from Sweet Chestnut branches and really has to be experienced first hand for the full impact. When you walk into this room it is almost totally dark and it takes a moment to look up and see all the branches. It makes you feel like a small animal creeping into a burrow. The smell of all the wood is overpowering too.

Upon setting foot out of this gallery we walked out into a lovely bright sunny day. Looking up at the sky, with Goldsworthy's method of looking to shapes and patterns in nature in mind, I just had to take this photograph.

Look at the wonderful shapes of the clouds and the lines from planes in the sky, making a perfect cross. It just seemed totally perfect for the moment.

Cheese In The Trees !

Now we had a picnic in the park and in tribute to Goldsworthy's sculptures my dad created this sculpture. Giving it the truly inspired name of "Cheese In The Trees". :-)

We spent the whole day there walking about , playing Pooh Sticks, which I won! (see right), and sketching.

Here is a picture of my dad sketching...

...And this is what he was actually drawing.

Here is my favourite photograph from the day. We had to wait until no one was around to do this.

Swarovski Heart Earrings

2007-11-27T21:16:00.001Z

Photography Experiments

2007-11-27T20:29:00.000Z

I know nothing about photography but its something I'd love to learn more about. I do have a try every now and again. What I would really like to learn how to do are digital collages with photography - I just love the work of Kirsi at Amazing Haze and she totally inspires me to experiment with digital images and photography in art.

So here are a couple of experimenty digital self-portraits. I really like the colours in my hair in this second one. I also think its funny that I look quite like Fergie in it (not the cool one alas).

There is actually a story behind this photograph but I'm going to be enigmatic for once and not reveal.