art at the park

Week 4

In attendance 16 artists

This week we have been relaxing, I have not asked the artists to push their boundaries or to try anything new. (I thought I would give them a week off) this weeks focus was still life (not my favorite, but…) with a difference. It was such a lovely day and the sun was shining I introduced the session as still life but the twist was the artists had to find their own. I gave them a pair of scissors and sent them off into the park to collect things. It was lovely to have a wander and work as a team in choosing their items. As we were looking for items people shared their knowledge of plants and trees with each other. People found that they could chat about other things than art. It was good for the people who aren’t that confident in art but have knowledge they could share about another subject. (This gives them confidence).

The group discussed how the still life should be set up so that everyone had a good view and the items were placed interestingly. I also added a couple of random objects from home a china dog, a patterned scarf and a toy soldier. I encouraged the group to just choose a part that they liked and not to try the whole thing. They then chose their preferred medium. One lady had a brilliant idea and she drew the shadows that a leaf cast by the sun although she did have to cope with a lot of clouds, she produced a beautiful piece.

This week we had 2 new people start, everyone that comes seems so grateful that there is somewhere for them to do their art in a group where they can just give themselves 2 hours to fill with art and meet new people who they can talk creatively with. I am very lucky to be able to facilitate this I give individual time to everyone in my session and make sure if people don’t have ideas that I can sit down with them and help them discover an idea from themselves. This week a lady very shyly asked me if I could teach her to draw a leaf, so I sat down with her and explained about looking more than drawing, she drew the leaf very well and then wanted to paint it. She did this with great care and really understood that the leaf was not just one king of green and it also had browns in it. She was so pleased with herself when she had finished. It was a brilliant first attempt. I cannot tell you how proud I am of the group they have come together very well and hopefully are building long lasting friendships.

I have just purchased a lot of new art equipment so this week we will be exploring new things oil pastels, acrylics, fimo, lino and many more I think shall create a lucky dip just for fun!

Things to think about are Arts for health at the art school (volunteers) and dementia and imagination and their countrywide project. How can I tap into this and how are we going to reach the harder to reach people in the community.

24/09/20014

Week 3.

In attendance 13 artists

Discussion:

Are you an artist that mirrors the world or are you an artist that says something about the world or yourself?

I asked the group which category they fit into. I expected everyone to choose mirroring the world, but I was surprised to find out that it was about 50/50. When the people who said they “mirrored the world” (usually in a defeatist way) discussed how the approach their work or make desertions within their work they found out that they too said something about the world or themselves.

This week I introduced poster paint, the artists could choose to use it or not, the group are quite flexible and up for having a go so everyone did. They found it a little difficult when I said they were not to add water to the paint despite this the group produced some lovely images. Through introducing new mediums I am trying to help the artists add new experiences and methods to their practice, they might never paint in poster paints again but they may have learnt a different stroke with their brush or a new way of mixing paint.

This week we had a little off shoot group of knitters/crocheters and sewers who share their skills and taught others how to crochet. I also had a very interesting conversation with a gentleman that said there was no skill in modern art. I think by the end he had changed his mind a little although he said he would never like it. Each to their own!

last weeks home work went down very well, one lady told me that she had stayed up two nights to finish her mondrian inspired cut out birds. they were magnificent and i could tell she was very proud of herself.

The group is already becoming a little support network for each other and I’m sure many a long lasting friendship will come from it.

17/09/2014

Week 2

In attendance am 9 artists pm 9 artists

4 new artists

If I ever know of an exhibition or opening I am letting the group know so they can attend if they wish. This week it is Manchester contemporary, a couple of people signed up to go to the private view. Its good for the members of the group to go and visit galleries and attend open studios, as it shows them what is about in the art world at the moment and how many (non famous) artists there are around.

I would like to organize a trip somewhere

This week I have introduced the mark making exercise to the group. This week I chose classical music, as I knew the group would enjoy it, I didn’t want to put them off on their first try out.

The feedback was excellent

“I feel all relaxed and ready for the session”

 “The music has inspired me”

After this people showed some of their previous work to the group they were all very supportive of each other. I brought some playdough and Lego, which proved to be very popular with almost everyone. Some people when off to draw in the park or café for the rest of the session.

This little group it proving to be very popular my only concern is there isn’t going to be enough of me to go around if the numbers increase much more. I am also running out of space.

Mmmmmmm this need thinking about.

Next week poster paint and big paper!  And planning of exhibition for xmas (theme?)