Two weeks of talks, research and focus. I’m shattered. I wasn’t expecting a huge outcome as I concentrated on animation and you can’t do that in a hurry. Also I was using PremierPro which was totally new to me. However, I had some great technical help from students and technicians so I made better headway than expected. I set myself the task of transforming a fragile figure into a relaxed character, then someone more assertive. Using the Body Language Bible as reference I also got one of the students to pose.
Working form memory I created painterly characters which I chopped and changed in Photoshop. I realised early doors that painting each frame would be too jumpy.
I’m sorry I ca’nt upload but the computer says no.
I like the new A-N website.
It’s the end of week one of Summer Lodge, a two week research opportunity/ residency for 30+ artists at NTU.
Most are NTU staff and PhDs students with a few invited guests, some international. I am one of five artists selected from studios in and around Nottingham. Chris Wright from HMS is another.
Day five was a one-day symposium focusing on the activity of process within arts practice. Some interesting threads and much food for thought.
The rest of the week has been spent developing an idea which has been on the back burner for some time now. Over a period of eighteen months I have made a series of 5 paintings which look identical at first glance but are quite different on closer inspection. They are ‘copies’ of a bigger painting but there are many accidental inaccuracies in terms of colour and mark making. My intention has been to animate them and project. This week I have managed to photograph and animate for the first time. HD quality too. Next week I am hoping to project it. So far I am so pleased with the result that I am motivated to make 7 more, therefore 12 frames altogether. This is quite a task as each painting takes weeks and the process of copying is not something I enjoy. However, I am sure it will be worth it.
My drawing is going well. I am using different black inks on primed paper. Ink is a very direct medium and I enjoy the challenge. As I have only 2 weeks to make the drawing I have to be decisive and clear about the marks. I never plan and the work evolves, surprising me as much as anyone else. The biggest issue has been the visitor numbers. When it has rained I’ve blamed the weather and when the sun shines I blame the weather. The truth is the tramworks directly outside the university make access very difficult. When completed the new tramline will create a fantastic link to the city centre but at the moment it’s pants. I am lucky I’ve had lots of support from friends who have seen the work progress. Maggy has also taken some great installation photos and I’ve had some lovely tea breaks. The staff have also been encouraging and the cleaners have been in raptures. Tomorrow will be day 8 and I will either finish on Friday… or maybe Saturday if I need more time.
