Drawing the wind

When is an idea original ? When an individual first thinks of it or when the very first person to think of it, does it ???? Hmmm. Maybe it's the interpretation that's important.

I was trailing through some very old sketch books and came across notes I had made in the Isles of Scilly. ...How can I draw the wind ?, what colour is the wind ? and as I was sitting in a very windy spot on my terrace yesterday, I was having the same thought. What does the wind look like ?  I thought about how to go about catching the essence of the wind in a drawing. Suspending a pen from the washing line seemed like a good idea.

I have of course since discovered I am not the first person to have thought of this ! But I can see there are endless possibilities on colour and thickness of pens. Sadly paint can't be used as the brush would dry out. The wind drawing took a whole day to complete and while the wind was doing it's work I sat and watched from my hammock. 

It's 15th Feb today and while the British Isles are under water and suffering foul winter weather, I have been today basking in a wonderful 25c and blue skies. Oh joy.

Tiddley Pom

On Monday, when the sun is hot

I wonder to myself a lot:

Now is it true, or is it not,

That what is which and which is what?

On Tuesday, when it hails and snows

The feeling on me grows and grows

That hardly anybody knows

If those are these or these are those.

On Wednesday, when the sky is blue,

And I have nothing else to do,

I sometimes wonder if it’s true

That who is what and what is who.

On Thursday, when it starts to freeze

And hoar-frost twinkles on the trees,

How very readily one sees

That these are whose- but whose are these?

On Friday-

Lines written by a bear with very little brain.

About how I feel today whilst painting....Unfinished... 'Sunset over Xlendi Bay' 

I have lost my mojo AGAIN ! 

I can't leave the Essex pallette behind.and am finding I have lost my way. I mentioned this to a friend who challenged me to use colours completely alien to me., in much the same way I teach people at my 'Expressive painting workshops' (...and frankly I should have thought of it myself !) to use their left hand (or right if that is not their normal preference) It loosens up the mind as there is no history to work with or to stifle creativity with. We expect to make mistakes with something new because this us uncharted territory. Not constricted by things that have gone before. 

Scary stuff. What !? leaf green...yuk. 

This is a new journey and it may take a while but I am loving these colours for now. I'm still experimenting on how they mix together, I love to use them straight from the tube....anyway will see how this progresses.

Songs of uncertainty

My chosen tradition of Zen loves uncertainty: For meditation practice, the three virtues are great faith, great perseverance, and great doubt. Here's a modern expression of this great doubt: When asked What is Zen?, the teacher Suzuki Shunryu replied, "I can sum it up in two words: Not always so."  ( Taken from Awakened Life )

Some nice pieces of wood have been washed into the bay recently. Old doors and bits of boat. All with remnants of paint bashed and weathered by the sea. I have to live with these pieces for a while, until an idea comes. I don't like to paint over the existing colour too much, utilizing it where I can. The blue on these first couple has a muddy look to it, which looks like a stormy sky. The bare wood resembles the salt pans here on Gozo. The seagull is a little bit of artistic licence as I have only seen four since I have been here ! 

I have incorporated some calligraphy, my songs of uncertainty.

The wild flowers and dried seed heads are everywhere and I wanted to mention them in my painting rather than a detailed depiction. Hence the stylised shapes.

Look what the storm brought in !

There are numerous palm trees in Xlendi which shed their bark all over the road. I'm going to try and paint on them....

Making a start on the terraced hills.... More uncertainty.

Trust the process

A few more journal sketches. Doors are so lovely to draw, ( these are very quick ten min. scribbles) I love the wrought iron arched windows above the doors. I'm not sure of the history behind them. Obviously, to let some light in, but I'm not sure why the infinite variety of decoration. Anyway they are very pretty.

The countryside is lush right now. The rain has really brought on the growth. There is wild rocket growing in abundance and other pretty yellow flowers edge the path. I understand April is the month to visit for a display of wild colour. I shall look forward to that.

I have been thinking how to capture the individual plants without a painting looking like a botanical print.

A few sketches in a naive style seem to fit the bill, so I shall try a couple of paintings along this theme.

Espradrilles  on 13th Jan can't be bad !

I have been revisiting some work done in Essex. The colours are so muted, lovely and beautiful in their own khaki way. 

so different to here. I'm very much trusting the process as far as finding my arty feet here on Gozo. I spend much time sketching and scribbling in the hope it will all come together ! I haven't felt brave enough to start on a canvas yet ....

Trusting the process is explained quite nicely HERE

What's in a word ?

I like to read other creative's blogs, not only for new ideas and inspiration but they are an endless source of wisdom, joy and sometimes sorrow. At this time of year artists are beginning to think about work for the following months and where their inspiration may come from. We are all thinking about how the new year may change the way we think or work,  some may have resolutions to keep, some of us may do nothing new at all and I have to say I fall into the later group. I tend not to make promises to myself or vow to change something in my life. What I have done in the last few of years though, is choose a word that I use as a starting point for work. For example, two years ago I chose 'pilgrimage'. If you want a run down on how this influenced my work, you may like to visit my previous life and have a look - Notes from the studio - in fact I carried this on for the following year too as I felt the word had so much to offer me.
For a glimpse on how other people might utilize this same method in their lives, have a look at Zendotstudio and also QuinnCreative for some ideas.

So, choosing a word isn't easy. It takes some thought (though I have to say, one shouldn't over think it) , quite often a word will be 'snagged' by your imagination and you won't let it go. Or a word may have some inner meaning to your current situation. Half the fun is in the choosing. I like to mull over what the word may mean to me for a few days, before I make a final decision. The word that keeps rising to the surface for me now, is 'uncertainty' . My life is quite uncertain at the moment and I am rather reveling in that. Unnerving as it it is at times it makes each day an adventure. Now, this word has endless possibilities in relation to my art and I will list a couple of quotes that resonate with me and influenced my choice.

I think that what most artists are trying to do is trying to understand. I think what distinguishes creative people and/or artists from another type of person is perhaps a willingness to go headlong into that uncertainty.
Brandon Boyd

The quest for certainty locks the search for meaning. Uncertainty is the very condition to impel man to unfold his powers.
Erich Fromm

“Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. ...live in the question.”

Rainer Maria Rilke

Nobody knows how things will turn out, that's why they go ahead and play the game...You give it your all and sometimes amazing things happen, but it's hardly ever what you expect.” 
Gennifer Choldenko

“Uncertainty is a quality to be cherished, therefore – if not for it, who would dare to undertake anything?”
Auguste de Villiers de l'Isle-Adam

So where do I go from here ? Well I am uncertain ! I'll see what comes up. 

Leave me a msg with your 2014 words and why !

In the meantime a lovely New years eve walk down a very steep hill to San Blas bay this morning blew a few cobwebs away.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

The importance of journaling

Normally I spend a great deal of time putting ideas down into a journal or sketch book, though I have been a little lax of late. I do feel it is of great importance to scribble things down. They don't have to be formal or neat, really just flashes of ideas. Something I have seen in a book that sparks a thought, a colour combination, a pattern or something of architectural interest. Anything really that I think might be useful. Another reason for keeping a journal is to keep a note of thoughts, things that will be useful in updating an 'artist's statement'. Why I paint or make the art I do, where my interest lies. How doe my art reflect the person I am etc etc.

Words play a very important role in my art, whether it is in the form of illegible calligraphy - José Parla is a great inspiration for that or the use of second hand books in my work. I love Book Art and Anna Mavromatis makes some stunning works incorporating recycled books and much more.

The stars on a clear dark night look like letters dancing in the sky. I can make up words that fit the astronomical shapes and this led to a thought about using words or letters on a page of an old paperback.

My map story, a thought about joining the dots of my life- It hasn't always been clear as to where my path is leading. I just need to take the next step. looking back I can see the map.
Benoit :  'We are terrified of 'ruining our lives'. In reality there is nothing to make a success of and nothing to spoil '

Single letters picked out to make a continuous flow. S E A . all the rest blacked out. In the next some seagull shapes swoop over the sea.

Stormy seas today.

Watercolours produce a swirling mess. By tearing the dried paper and then pasting into my book, the gap gives the impression of turbulent water. Just an idea !



I am still finding my feet here, maybe I never will. But nothing is wasted and in time all these notes will be useful material. Try keeping a journal yourself, it's fun apart from anything else.

Joy

Christmas is quite a different affair here in Gozo. None of the over merchandising and hard sell tactics, as seen in the UK. Such a refreshing change. It is a joy to be in a country that actually celebrates Christmas for the right reasons. There are seasonal popular tunes played in the streets of Victoria and the odd santa standing in the 18c sunshine but mostly the shop displays are low key and have only been visible for the last two weeks. (not since September). Every village has a nativity scene displayed in the square and pop up shops sell carved or sculpted nativity 'sets' for the home. Carols have been sung in the main square and there have been many other concerts for the public all over the island.  As a predominantly Christian country, Christmas is very much about a family celebration for one day only, giving thanks for the birth of Christ.....and frankly, that is how it should be. The overload and over indulgence we have to endure in the UK is sickening, Anyway enough of that. Rant rant !

My family have been out here with me this last week, and we were blessed with some fantastic weather. Even warm enough for a swim, well not me , but my children thought it was warm enough.
Sunsets are really fabulous here in Xlendi, as the bay faces west, and most fine evenings a walk up to the cliffs to view the setting sun, is a must.

Joy to you all and wishing you a very happy time with your families.