After my moaning of yesterday I woke to find that I would be able to go in to the studio today after all.
I was in around three and a half hours and managed to get a decent amount of painting done. I'm not quite sure about the results, I will have to mull over the painting to see what I do with it next. It doesn't feel quite right yet, but I don't quite know what to do with it yet.
I find it quite interesting that as artists we look at a work of art, visually judge it, sometimes we can say if a particular part is exceptional or poor or even bland. But from my experience of my art and talking to other artists, most artists instinctively know if something is right or not, even when there aren't any parts that prove these feelings, our brains instinctively recognise it and respond accordingly.
It's really weird at the moment being fresh out of university. I've become accustomed to and a little reliant on feedback from lecturers and fellow students, in fact anyone involved in art that you come across. But ever since leaving there are very few people around to give an honest opinion on my work, some artists are quite reluctant to and others will only speak about the good and the flattering. I am quite confident that after a while I will have developed a network of fellow artists whos critical feedback will help me invaluably.
The studios of my residency are fantastic, they remind me of the old studios at Derby University, but clean and warm and more space. It's great to have other people moving around and getting on with work and generally being involved in art. It is quite encouraging and reassuring to see other artists being artists. I have yet to meet alll of the members at Harrington Mill studios but the ones I have met so far have seemed really nice people and their work is of a really high and honest standard.
We have an open studio event at the end of October, if anyone is in the area please come along and see our work and the wonderful studios. I will be at the Private view and be around most of the weekend and I love to chat.
Harrington Mill Open Studios 2008
Private View – Friday 24th October 2008 – 6pm – 8.30pm (This will be opened by the mayor of erewash)
Open Studios Sat 25th – Sun 26th October – 11am – 4pm
