I went up to my Weston studio tonight to drop some stuff up there, and ended up painting for over an hour as well! I have a few old canvasses that i don't really like, so I decided to splatt paint all over them, obliterating the old images and coming up with new. And guess what? On one of them, I used some oil paint!
I had some really cheap stuff, so i didn't mind using lots, and I just applied it thikcly with a pallette knife. I can describe it like learning a new language. I know what the words are, but I am still learning, so the grammar is still difficult and I don't quite know what I am doing....I'm a long way off being fluent! But I liked the textures that were created, and I have started....
Sunday, 11 January 2009
On oil paint and facing my fears....
For a long time now, I have wanted to make the leap into using oil paints, but I have always found a reason not too, or have avoided the issue. I mainly work in acrylic, but I am not a 'techniquey' kind of girl. I am not a fine artist, I was never trained, so usually my way of working with a medium involves experimenting with it, rather than reading up on how to achieve effects. I also love experiementing with different ways of combining materials, such as painting acrylic over wet gloss paint of emulsion, combining the paint with textural elements such as material, wire, liquid latex..... hell, I have even been known to use washing up and bleach in a painting once, but I had had rather a lot of red wine at the time and was feeling more experiemental than normal! If truth be known, I know where I am with acrylic..... its safe, predictable and dependable. But sometimes, safe and predictable = boring.....
In all honesty, I find the thought of oils scary. Long drying times, having to use different thinning materials, not being able to mix them with water..... it feels very daunting. But whenever I see a painting in oil thatI like, I feel a real sense that I am missing out. The amazing textures that can be achieved and the vibrancy of the colours makes me feel so inspired. So I need to move out of my comfort zone. I need to start doing it. OK, so I will probably have to do something I hate and read up about some basic tips and techniques, but once I have a rough idea, my plan is to just go for it, and experiement in the way I normally do with paint. I'm scared, but I really need a change of direction!
My plan is for this all to begin in February. I'm leaving my volunteer artist role at Studio Upstairs at the end of the month, and don't feel I can focus on it until then. It will be a big wrench not being at the studio anymore as it has been a massive part of my life for over three years now, but the time has come to move on..... and the end of this period will hopefully mark the beginning of a new period of creativity. It's going to be hard, and my transition may be a painful one, but I am kind of excited too.
Bring on the turps and linseed oil!!
Sunday, 4 January 2009
Gifts
I had a friend round last night for a girlie night in, and quite unexpectedly she brought me gifts!! They were all pregnancy related, but for ME rather than the baby. Lots of things to help me chill and look after myself during the next 5 and a bit months. (Am I that far along already??)
It was a really thoughtful thing to do, and has refocused me on my goals to take better care of myself in the next year.
(However, frankly, the disposable underwear was not the most pleasant gift I have ever received!! A happy mix of practical yet deeply terrifying.......)
Happy New Year!
We had a lovely New Year!
We spent it farm sitting at this beautiful spot near Perenporth in Cornwall with a couple of friends.....
It was quiet..... apart from this noisy pair!
Also, keeping us company were several of these....
A couple of these....
And a few of these!
It was a lovely, relaxed, quiet and chilled out start to the New Year, with good company and good food. A perfect start to what is going to be a much more introverted and "Karen" focused year!
We spent it farm sitting at this beautiful spot near Perenporth in Cornwall with a couple of friends.....
It was quiet..... apart from this noisy pair!
Also, keeping us company were several of these....
A couple of these....
And a few of these!
It was a lovely, relaxed, quiet and chilled out start to the New Year, with good company and good food. A perfect start to what is going to be a much more introverted and "Karen" focused year!
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Monday, 29 December 2008
Word for the year 2009
I have been really struggling with choosing my word for 2009. I knew exactly what I wanted my word to represent, but was struggling to find a word that encompassed it all. I wanted a word that would encourage me to focus more on myself and what I want, and that would help me to rengage with my art and get me painting and creating again. I also want to focus on generally feeling healthy and promoting my wellbeing, both physically and emotionally. Its a lot to cover with one word!
Since I discovered I was pregnant, my world has shrunk a little. I have been feeling so sick that my days have been taken up with battling this and eating in order to stave off the nausea. I have also been quite involved in coming to terms with the changes that go along with imminent parenthood (GULP!) So there has been very little time to focus on me. I have also become aware of my desire to not completely lose my identity in becoming a mum. I don't want that to be the only thing that defines me, it is still important for me to be defined as an artist too, and to still fundamentally be ME, even though my priorities will clearly change.
Like I said, a lot to cover with one word!!
But the other night, a flash of inspiration came, and I thank Laura for it. I was telling her my problems with choosing the word and what I was thinking, and she said -
"Why don't you have 'Karen' as your word of the year?"
PERFECT!!! It covers everything! It basically reminds myself to spend lots of time focusing on, pampering, treating, nurturing, and generally looking after myself.
It may seem a bit comedic, perhaps a bit narcissistic, but it does fit, and is serious. And also is not just about me. There is no doubt my thoughts will often be focused on the new little person in my world, but if I remember my word, I am immediately reminded to focus on myself too. After all, how can I look after a new life if I have not properly looked after myself?
Since I discovered I was pregnant, my world has shrunk a little. I have been feeling so sick that my days have been taken up with battling this and eating in order to stave off the nausea. I have also been quite involved in coming to terms with the changes that go along with imminent parenthood (GULP!) So there has been very little time to focus on me. I have also become aware of my desire to not completely lose my identity in becoming a mum. I don't want that to be the only thing that defines me, it is still important for me to be defined as an artist too, and to still fundamentally be ME, even though my priorities will clearly change.
Like I said, a lot to cover with one word!!
But the other night, a flash of inspiration came, and I thank Laura for it. I was telling her my problems with choosing the word and what I was thinking, and she said -
"Why don't you have 'Karen' as your word of the year?"
PERFECT!!! It covers everything! It basically reminds myself to spend lots of time focusing on, pampering, treating, nurturing, and generally looking after myself.
It may seem a bit comedic, perhaps a bit narcissistic, but it does fit, and is serious. And also is not just about me. There is no doubt my thoughts will often be focused on the new little person in my world, but if I remember my word, I am immediately reminded to focus on myself too. After all, how can I look after a new life if I have not properly looked after myself?
Monday, 22 December 2008
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