Revelations and Experimentations
Last week I went to see the degree show at Sheffield Hallam University. It was great to see a degree show one year on from my own. One of the most striking things about it was the way in which many students’ work seems to culminate in the same results as the work made by students at other institutions. It highlighted the importance of striving to make something different in your own work, in order to stand out from the crowd. Of course, I knew this as a student myself, but when I was in that situation myself it was harder to comprehend. I can only really fully appreciate the importance looking in from the outside, as a graduate myself.
At the moment I’m continuing work on my two current painting projects which are progressing frustratingly slowly. I have also started experimenting with the concept sculptural cross-stitch. I want to manipulate the materials in such a way as to force to fabric to take on a 3D form, while still using traditional cross-stitch techniques. I’m still in the early stages but I’m excited by the possibilities presented by the medium.
Block
I’ve been going through a tough time at the moment, and as much as I try not to let personal problems interfere with my professional life, I’m afraid to say that they are doing. However, I still have several projects on the go and in mind, and I recently set myself up in a new studio, so things are moving forward.
I’m finding that, at present, I’m much better off trying to do practical things, rather than trying to sit down and work. I have recently arranged to teach some cross-stitch workshops in Sheffield and I’m working on the patterns and a sample piece. If anyone would like to know more, please contact me.
A new project which is forming itself in my head is based on the Medieval poem Pearl. I came across it while reading and the imagery was so striking, and so in keeping with my own work that I felt inspired by it. Here’s a link to Bill Stanton’s translation of it http://www.billstanton.co.uk/pearl/pearl_new.htm
I’m planning to make a large painting of it, but I’m still at the ideas stage at present.
Inventory
I have been thinking recently about the inventory of symbols which I have slowly been amassing. This has happened almost without me noticing, but I now have the beginnings of a rich collection.
I find myself reusing symbols to illustrate my ideas when making new work. For example, a heart has come to represent death, and by contrast also life; anchors represent hope and the loss of hope. The symbols in my inventory have become the building blocks from which I construct work. This ridged structure suits my style of working, which always searches for rules and boundaries, creating a set of rules, or framework, in which I can work. This is both beneficial and restrictive. They force me to be methodical, and to think and find solutions.
I very much see my work as allegorical. I hope that people will find their own meanings in my work, and interpret the symbols in their own way. This may be superficial, enjoying (or of course hating) a piece for its aesthetic value alone, or they may find a deeper meaning with a piece by understand the significance of the symbolism used.
Coming to realise this has helped me to better understand how I like to work. It seems strange, but by being so close to my own work, I do not really realise what I am doing. Taking a step back in this way, and assessing my methods will help me to move forward. It has also helped me to think about breaking my own rules in future works.
Slow Progress
At last, I’ve had a break through with my self portrait project! You may remember from a previous post that I was considering how to get the embossed look for the background of my painting; well at last I think I’ve found a solution. I intend to sew a key motif in gold thread onto the gold painted background. This also helps me with another aspect of my work that I have been thinking about for some time; adding embroidery to my paintings.
I am also busy applying for art opportunities at the moment, which unfortunately takes up a lot of my time. Alongside this I’m planning to get new business cards printed, as well as prints of my work which I can then sell. I also need to order a new roll of canvas and generally stock up on materials. All of this means that my practice is somewhat on the back burner at the moment. I hope to be getting back to work by the end of this month.
Banners
My last complete painting was painted on a sheet of canvas and hung like a banner (see image). This gave reference to religious banners found in churches, and a secondary motive was the fact that it would save a massive amount of space when moving and storing the piece. I felt it was so successful that I have decided to use this method again for my next paintings i.e. my two self portraits. I am planning to make them between two and three feet tall, with a pole at the top and bottom of each, stitched into the canvas, and a length of cord through the top pole, from which they will hang.
I am almost ready to start work on the final paintings. I am just struggling with one aspect of my second self portrait; I want to form a raised/ embossed pattern in the background to mimic medieval religious paintings, but I have not yet found a way of doing this that I am happy with. I also have one more study to paint for this piece which I have not yet had time to work on.
