Art Allotments

I am still posting pictures from July as the new envelopes from August are coming back in the post. Reading again the accompanying comments I am struck how it is the importance of immediacy in the project that keeps everyone focused.

Estella related “I decided to go for the first idea that struck me and not get involved with adding to much – just a bit of pen – The temptation is to add paint and consquently make the collage into a more serious Work of Art by obliterating a lot of the elements. Better to be spontaneous in the spirit of the idea!”

Jude was more serious and in her work pasted some thought provoking speech bubbles from two people in conversation.

“Thinking & talking”

How is it affecting me?

Why? and What is it about? and

What is it meaning?

She comments that she wasn’t sure she liked the outcome … Alas something common to us all occuring much too often.

Bev … illustated here, found her idea flowed easily.

“Thanks again for a really great envelope of stuff – what a pure pleasure to do something uncomplicated, fun and stress free!!! My contribution was inspired by colour (again) – the purpley – pink colours immediately evoked lavender, cypresses, holiday in Umbria…

Tomorrow I will open the new batch!!

If the cartoons didn’t trigger a response then the text, or in this case the letter z seems to have been the key. Overall the responses seem to fall into 3 categories. Narrative, text/word or letter inspired or abstract as a response to colour, tone, texture or shape.

The responses of the participating artists have been polarised. “It was really hard, I wasn’t inspired & I took a while to make something. OR “It was great, I did if after a stressful day & it was fun and restorative”

Again the key to every response it not having to chose the materials. Someone else has done that, it is fun, there are no value judgements and it does seem to inspire other ideas and inform other work.

Today when struggling to shape an idea I tipped out a collection of relevant reference materials. There was no help where I needed it but instead something new has appeared. Lying among the scraps & cuttings, a random chance arrangement. I have left it as I write this and will return later & look again.