The Journey
Reflecting on this body of work, my paintings became a sort of documentation, which I guessed they probably would. I thought of Jo Spence to contextualise this idea in terms of modern practise as a reference when I proposed this project to my tutors. Although I don’t wish to compare and indeed couldn’t, the greatness of emotion and journey documented, referencing Spence helps me pin down my journey in terms of contemporary arts and ideas. I feel this is important as my project sits at this point of intersection in it’s development.
When I started I wasn’t sure what was going to emerge in this project. I have had to be very honest with myself and in all other aspects, because, I felt I owed it to my work. This has been a project and will continue to be a project I pursue for personal interest and gain. This is not about pretend or superficial emotions or trying to muster a meaning or context, it is about a connection. I have seen ‘active paint’ from the artist’s side.
Where does my work stand at the moment ? Where do I fit in …I believe I fit into the group of artists who embrace and use the materiality of paint and let paint use them. All the artists I look at and gain inspiration and knowledge from do this. It is the materiality of the medium and its power which, draws me into paintings, it is what keeps me engaged.
For further expansion and depth of thought I’ve investigated the question, Is painting dead? My work and my theories fit in with this – and profusely deny the statement that it could be. Some say it was but it’s back – I say it never left.
The Tate debate and chapter in ‘Painting’ by Terry R Myers – key reads.
http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/blogs/tate-…
Physical aspects of my work have also developed during my journey. I went from board, to paper to cardboard, to canvas. Together oil paint and canvas and ‘active paint’, create an unmovable, strong language. Through my progression my handling of the paint has changed – my colour palette and over all language too…
Not all of my paintings are expressions of one emotion. I have found these can only exist in paintings small enough to completely in one time bracket. Paintings I can lean over and dominate with my paint. My larger paintings tend to express all parts of me, as their making stretches over a longer time period.
