THE LAST POST !!
Before assessment – that is! Well I’ve almost finished the installation. Our technician Matt did a brilliant job setting it all up for me, then I started on the floor treatment. Will finish that tomorrow. Tried to video the installation but it just doesn’t work – too dark. You have to be in it.
Health & Safety issues occurred last night and today the mood was interesting. Although we were all pretty annoyed & dismayed about the issues it actually generated a really good atmosphere of ..’we’re all in this together so lets make it work despite the irritation’. Everyone seemed to be extra helpful and upbeat which was lovely.
I had a long chat with one of our tutors about painting yesterday, reflecting on how deep and subtle the influence of other painters affects work. She saw Turneresque bits in my Waterfront paintings. I did look at Turner during dissertation research. We talked about how some paintings take so long to resolve ( Antibes ) but then the next painting you do can be really quick because of the knowledge gained by the struggle of the last one.
We also discussed mediums. She prefers oils while I still love acrylics. We all find our preffered working methods I guess. I think I’m comfortable now with painting both abstract and semi-abstract as the two paintings here show. I feel that at this late stage I’m really on the verge of a more confident approach. I’m not saying I’m totally satisfied and I will continue to search for the elusive elements in painting but I’m edging closer all the time now. Like Hokasi said ‘ at 70 he started to improve and if he could live to 140 he might be a good painter…. or something like that …. I can’t remember the exact quote and am too tired to look it up.
Think I’ve done all I can now … just have to wait for the results now and first really enjoy the Show next Thursday.
It’s been an emotional journey and I’ve met some fascinating people, who I hope to keep in touch with; found out things about myself and I think even changed through things which have happened in both my private and college life. My constant self-doubt has somehow lessened a little. It’s been an amazing, life-changing experience.
