I love the energy from the blossoms and wanted to capture their effervescence exploring its transient nature and delicacy.Concerned British culture is losing this sense of wonder in our highly technological world I feel compelled to stir up enthusiasm for the beauty of blossoms. The project aims to reconnect people to the natural world encouraging them to respond to its beauty creatively.
My blossom work is taking place in two very different locations; an Arts Residency at the National Trust’s Hardwick Hall within their fruit orchards and Chaddesden, a suburb in the city of Derby amidst it’s glorious cherry blossom edged roads.
The first week of spring 2014 is over and I am well into the second phase of my blossom project.The blossoms are already starting to appear (at least three weeks earlier this year) so I need to work swiftly before they disappear.
The challenge over the two blossom seasons was to create 20 paintings, a blossom machine, deliver 23 blossom art workshops, three pop up ‘Blossom studio’ events, a blossom project training day at Quad, Derby sharing the project outcomes, finishing with an exhibition at Hardwick Hall in May within the gardens.
I visited the two schools this week where I will be delivering the blossom workshops, giving a talk to the children, so really looking forward to working with them next week to create blossom paintings and design a blossom machine! I can’t wait to see their ideas.
I enjoyed gathering materials yesterday at the Play and Recycling Centre, Derby collecting creative possibilities for the blossom machine and rolls of gold leaf for the paintings. Acrylic paints and rolls of canvas have arrived this morning, so I am almost ready.
