Journal

I’ve been going to a pottery class with my son for the past few months . It was supposed to be an activity for us to enjoy doing together but he leaves after an hour and I continue for the next hour fumbling with the clay and making clumsy pots, bowls and recently birds. I’m not a natural potter. In fact I’m becoming more inept as I go along. However, this doesn’t matter as my creations are purely subject matter for my still life paintings.

This week I made cats heads. Partly inspired by one seen on Pinterest by Karin Hagen and also inspired by cat and owl heads bought years ago from a craft fair made by Sheila Spear.

My latest work is inspired by things myself and my son have made in a local pottery class. I’m concentrating on making coil pots, cups and bowls and my son has taken to the wheel which I find tricky and uncontrollable.

I’m very much trying to keep a handmade look and feel to my creations. They’re definitely not functional. I’m waiting for a little jug be fired which will then be included in the next painting.

Here are the paintings so far and I’ll be following up with a post showing the actual creations next….

I’m fortunate to live in a county which I find endlessly inspiring. Before lockdown I created a range of monotypes using my Cornwall sketchbooks as a starting point. This form of printmaking is instant and easy. All that’s required is a sheet of glass, roller, ink, paper and drawing tools. I make mine on my kitchen table. If I make a mistake with the drawing I leave it in which adds to the final piece. I’ve used lightweight Japanese printmaking papers which are acid free and very strong.

Here they are…

For the past few weeks I’ve been concentrating on making paintings inspired by sketches of local ponds. I’m focusing on the water lily pads as the simple shapes and colours fit really well into my ethos of essence and simplicity.

I’m gradually scaling these up as I think they’ll work really well and when I have more time I’ll be adding them to my online shop.

Do get in touch for more information and images.

 

A few simple, bold, bird, sun, moon and star prints made using my Fome 3621 table top press. Inspired by Matisse’s cut out birds. I’ve been researching which paper to use for these monoprints and the Fabriano Rosaspina is proving to be ideal. It has a good weight, smooth texture and dries flat. When I was on my printmaking course I used bread and butter paper which was okay but I think it’s a fairly basic sort of paper, hence the name.

I’ve painted in some areas to enhance the density of colour that I was aiming for.

These are all available from my online shop so take a look…

It’s very easy to make monotypes at home. All you need is a sheet of glass or perspex, printing ink, a roller and paper. I’ve been embracing this form of printmaking as it’s so easy to set up and clear away in my bijou kitchen.

I prefer to print on Japanese paper which I’ve sourced from Intaglio Printmaker. The paper is acid free, lightweight but very strong giving the prints longevity. I love the immediacy of this form of printmaking and any mistakes made add to the final piece.

Some of these are available to buy from my online shop, take a look to see further details.

During lockdown I’ve felt very creative which I know is the opposite to many artists. But for some reason I’ve been compelled to paint, print and make a few textile pieces despite the fact I don’t have anything particularly on the horizon to work towards.

Using the current theme of this strange time, I’ve made a few rug hooked rainbows which I’ve been selling on Instagram as part of the artist support pledge initiative, set up by Matthew Burrows. This is a global movement where artists can sell work for no more than £200 and each time they make £1000 they pledge to buy another artist’s work for £200. It’s grown and grown and has been fantastic for making new connections and sales.

Here’s to brighter days ahead….

 

 

This week my table top printing press arrived! I realised I was going to need to invest as I have no access to presses at the moment due to lockdown. Usually I do my printing at Penzance School of Art, where I’m on a part time course.

This has been the best thing I’ve bought all year! I ordered it from Great Art. Recommended by a fellow printmaker. Portable, storable and perfect for a small space. I’m am obsessed. Model is Fome printing press 3621.

I’m  going to work on a range of variable edition collagraphs to start with which will be on sale as part of the artist’s support pledge on Instagram. Follow my page and you’ll see what I’m up to.

My studio is tiny (7.8 x 10.4 ft) but I just love it. Formerly my son’s nursery when he was a baby, he’s now upgraded to the attic room with sea views. I work either on the floor or with a canvas balanced on the ironing board, very rarely at my desk as the table space is too small.

The light streams in throughout the day and I can just about see St Michaels Mount and the top of the sea through the window if I stand on tiptoes.

I sometimes toy with the idea of renting a bigger studio space but one of the the joys of having a room at home is that I can easily tweak work there and then if needed. No driving or walking to another venue.

I feel very fortunate that since the lockdown my days haven’t changed too dramatically especially as I’m used to working from home but now I’m having to manage the home schooling too, which can be a real fiasco. 

I’m continuing to paint every day and I’ve noticed some greys creeping into my new work. This was definitely subconscious to start with but now I’m aware of the muted tones I’m loving how it works with my palette of brighter colours. My days are really quite full despite lots of exhibitions being cancelled. I don’t have anything to work towards which is quite strange but this is a good chance to evolve and spend time in the studio. I’m making do with materials that I already have and I’m painting over and amending old canvasses and pieces of hardboard. It wasn’t ideal running out of yellow paint last week but I raided my son’s box and have made the best of using kids acrylic, quite a challenge as they are watery with minimal pigment.

Thanks to an amazing campaign set up by Matthew Burrows on Instagram I’ve made a few sales. The idea is for artists to sell pieces of work for no more than £200 and once they’ve reached £1000 of sales each artist pledges to buy another artist’s work for £200. I’ve reached one pledge and bought a couple of screenprints, a collage and an original oil painting. I have overspent.

This initiative has been a complete godsend for so many artists with work drying up, shows cancelled and galleries closed.

Follow the hashtag #artistsupportpledge on Instagram to see some gorgeous work. Anyone can buy.