I tend to speak from the heart and this blog is no exception. Excuse me if I go a bit Oscars acceptance speech on you, but I want to acknowledge the wonderful supportive network of artists I’ve encountered on Twitter and their significance to the project. Who knew! Probably, one of the best decisions I have made in recent years, creatively speaking, was to join Twitter and follow the artists whose work I liked and who seemed friendly. This has been an incredible source of inspiration and support, a forum where ideas and woes are exchanged and the most fabulous images grace the eye at the speed of a click (or rather now that images are visible in the feed automatically you simply scroll to feast the eye).
I’ve gained highly valued and warm connections – intersecting creative lives touch gently and yet often profoundly. Direct Messaging creates private spaces in which to take the conversation further – and meetings in ‘real’ life sometimes follow. Some artists form longer lasting connections and others pass though, sometimes to emerge again after time but often not. Nonetheless their presence remains memorable for the kindness and interest shown, and the gratitude expressed when this is mutual and you feel moved to say how much you like and ‘get’ what they have presented online.
I want to thank them all, but also be specific in this shout out to some notable Twitter artists whose presence has been especially meaningful. I can’t describe the joy at arriving at an unknown venue to perform for Fringe Arts Bath and find three artist Twitter friends (never met before in real life) waiting for me. They have all followed my project and knew the context for this potentially indecipherable piece for the uninitiated – it helped immensely to know you would understand. Jenni Dutton, Malcolm Ashman and Louis Hawkins it was wonderful to meet you, introduce you to each other and tell you how great I think your work is. I recommend readers to view below, such gorgeous work must be seen.
http://www.malcolmashman.com/home.html
http://www.bathartistsstudios.co.uk/louis-hawkins.html
Online interest in and support for the piece from Inger Karthum and Patricia Volk was wonderful too. Both were present in our conversations and contributed comments via social media and their work can be seen on the links below.
The incredible Elena Thomas is never far from my thoughts these days forging ahead with her #Nine Women project and supporting when she can, passionately and with enthusiasm always – her comments have meant a great deal over the past few months in the run up to my performance.
JD Scott, Jo Hatty and Martin Heron are my touchstones for kindness and respectful engagement. Along with Kate Murdoch, Malcolm Ashman, Patricia Volk, Inger Karthum and Julie Newton have contributed art responses either to my project or to my studios.
http://www.katemurdochartist.com
https://jdartistportfolio.wordpress.com
http://www.axisweb.org/p/martinheron/
http://julie-newton.blogspot.co.uk
Martin Olsson has also been a huge support with the project and in particular the painting side of my practice, which recently took off in a new direction.
http://www.graysartgallery.com/Martin-Olsson/
Finally, but most importantly I want to thank my art blog sister Marion Michell, whose support for the project and deep friendship have been rock like. Daily bulletins and advice on some of the key creative decisions gave me the confidence to move forward and finalise my piece. Without Marion’s extraordinary grasp of my work through her unwavering interest and own carefully honed professional practice it would have been a lesser thing, of that I am sure. Her work is currently on show and her blog is not to be missed. Follow the links below.
https://www.a-n.co.uk/blogs/sleep-drunk-i-dance
https://www.facebook.com/pages/R-Space-at-The-Linen-Rooms-Lisburn/136430209770808?pnref=story
