"Inside Out" May 2009

Touching the Core of it all

Finding oneself as an artist, getting ones artworks “out there”, and the vital networking with other artists all need to happen in tandem. How can one balance these demands?

Contrary to expectations forming the Inside Out group of about 40 artists has not hindered my own practice, but rather fed into all of these demands.

As an abstract expressionist painter this may be because I have found that my practice works best with a “little and often” approach. However I think that even if I was producing “careful” work that required more sustained periods of time, networking with other artists would still need to come very high on my list.

What can be a problem is finding enough time to write and record thoughts and ideas, for example on A.N, because I am a naturally gregarious individual who prefers the real world to the virtual one!

In my experience the stimulation and vitality that feeds ones own creativity frequently comes from seeing the work of other artists, and sometimes engaging with them in their own journeys.

My photograph to accompany this entry illustrates this. It is one about the artist George Triggs, son of a member of the Inside Out Group, Frank Triggs.

Both Judy Greaves (an Inside Out sculptor) and I were privileged to be able to see George’s work in his Shropshire studio before he took it to London for his recent show, Glimpses of Clarity. We were both “blown away” by the iconic nature of the work.

To see it now featured, as it is in Art of England Magazine*, and to read about George’s passion for his art is “the icing on the celebratory cake” of networking, and such a crucial part of finding oneself as an artist. Thank you George.

Diana Baur 29th July 2009

*obtainable now from WH Smiths

Getting towards the end of July and still no where with the Lulu catalogue. It is so frustrating. Members of the group are getting understandably tetchy about the delay – some need the catalogue to show with their portfolios. I’m beginning to “glaze over” when I even think about it.

Dealing with a provider that is impossible to phone or deal with other than by email is not good. We may be forced to look to another provider.

July and high time I got back to the blog! We have had inordinate difficulties with Lulu.com and our Inside Out catalogue. Errors in printing have held up publication, in spite of the fact that we were given an ISBN number and the catalogue is available on Amazon!!

I am told that my corrected version is on its way to me. As soon as it is received and checked all Inside Out Artists will be informed. Hopefully those who were sent the wrong version will be sent a corrected version. If this doesn’t happen, please let John or myself know!

I wish I had been able to blog this exhibition every day. Balancing ones own practice and organising something like this is interesting and challenging!There have been plenty of viewers in spite of the wet weather and feedback has been good. We have some stunning photos.

May 14th 2009 – A cloudy wet day in Llanarmon! The Exhibition has been up since last Friday and many people have visited. This year the orange interpretation panels look bright alongside the blue and orange ribbons that Judith Harrison made.

Our evening launch on Saturday 9th May went well. More than 60 people attended. We were so lucky to have the use of Vikki Reynolds wedding marquee!

The press release below has gone out and BBC Wales Online will be using it.

PRESS RELEASE

Inside Out 2009 – Time and Place

On Friday 9^th May 2009 the Inside Out Artists’ Group, their friends and the inhabitants of the village gathered in The Hand at Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog to attend the informal opening of this year’s May Exhibition.

More than sixty people met, and, before viewing the works of art were entertained to live performances from Olivia Steele, a skilled young harpist, Ellie Parfitt and Jeni Hall, two talented young singers and one of the recorded songs of the singer-songwriter, the late Carl Thomas.

As the evening turned to dusk, the group were treated to a tour of the exhibits, many of which had illumination included in their design. Artists explained their work, and the challenges of creating an outside exhibit. Most of the artists had taken part in last year’s very successful exhibition, but for a few of the artists this was their first year.

The tour finished with a video installation called “Dancing in the Dark” by Jenni Steele, who has achieved an M.A. in Fine Art at Glyndwr University this year. Jennie received technical assistance from Freja Swogger who projected the film from the back of a car onto the side of a village house. (Freja worked collaboratively with Jan Singleton of Pandy Mill Glass Studio for last year’s Christmas showing of “Glass at the Speed of Light”. Many of the group then returned to finish the evening in The Hand to warm up with a welcome drink!

The Inside Out Art exhibition is on for two weeks and will finish on Monday 25^th May bank holiday, when many of the artists will be around the village and available to talk about their work. Some works will be illuminated on weekend evenings.

The organisers, Diana Baur and John Swogger would like to thank all the villagers, as well as The West Arms and The Hand Hotel for their help, support and forbearance, and for allowing the artists to exhibit in their gardens, fields, hedges, trees and windows.

The Time is now; the Place is Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog! The event is an art exhibition outside. Don’t miss it! For more information contact [email protected]