Dilip Sur in a recent drawing workshop talked about drawing ‘inside out’ to explore what it is that is being drawn, not to represent, but to enquire into being. I looked out of the window and chose a weeping birch […]
I’ve just read a very interesting article in the New York Times by Michael Pollan called Weeds Are Us. In a way, it develops the point I was making last week about having empathy for non-human species – namely, weeds. […]
I was clearing out the bindweed from my garden this weekend when it occured to me that, in a way, it is like a virus. By that I mean that it is a form of nature which, in seeking to […]
In this time of crisis, when normal life has been so uprooted, it’s important to be able to adapt to the changing situation. The same is true for us artists as anyone. For example, when the Williamson Art Gallery’s Open […]
Here in the UK, we are enduring the second week of self-isolation (aka lockdown). I struggle with anxiety and depression even in normal life and this pandemic has just made it so much worse. I really miss my freedom of […]
In this time of the coronavirus crisis, we’re being asked to regularly wash our hands to curb infection. If people are anything like me, this will increase our water usage just when we’re meant to be preserving it to save […]
It is entirely impossible for me to ignore the coronavirus crisis this week… As I type, I’m self-isolating, as advised by the UK government, due to having flu symptoms. I don’t know what it was but it passed on Sunday […]
Last week I began to follow the eco trail of my Winsor & Newton watercolours. As I don’t wish to single Winsor & Newton out, this week I’ve decided to follow the eco trail of my Royal & Langnickel brushes […]
Following on from last week, when I started to follow the eco trail of my art materials, this week I’m going to talk about the packaging they arrive in… Recently, I bought a half pan of Winsor & Newton watercolour […]
In last week’s blog, I wrote about becoming more atune to the ecology I’m part of. This inspired me to look closer at the eco trail of my art supplies. My watercolour paints are supplied my Winsor & Newton. Their […]
As I’ve previously mentioned, I’m collecting rainwater in a bucket to use for my painting and, to stop the wind blowing the bucket away, I’ve placed a brick in it. Well, this weekend, I was surprised to find a snail […]
Talking about walking last week reminded me that being environmentally friendly often saves me money. So why pay for a bus ticket when I can walk? Or pay for tap water when I can collect rainwater? Or buy paint when […]
Last week, I came to the conclusion that no matter what I do, I’ll end up hurting someone. This left me feeling stuck; I felt I had to do something but I also felt I could do nothing that helped. […]
As someone who struggles with anxiety, and the mood dips that go with, the climate crisis affects my mental health – and, therefore, my wellbeing – greatly. I have some really dark thoughts that leave me feeling powerless. However, in […]
My endeavours to reduce my carbon footprint
Saturday was busy in waves, but especially full during the afternoon. Gave my mini talk on art maths chaos and order a couple of times and in the afternoon Teresa set up her camera kit in the staff room […]
I saw a call for participants on the re-title (http://www.re-title.com/ ) website a few weeks ago and was fascinated by the possibilities of the possibilities around creating a museum/gallery like installation through borrowed and found items. This has struck me […]
I have lots of blogging to catch up on. Instalments about talks I’ve listened to by Sean Edwards, Ruth Claxton, Waving Not Drowning (event by Turning Point West Midlands) and a visit to the Artes Mundi exhibitions in Cardiff have […]
it’s very rare for me to have an evening where getting to sleep is a problem. i still don’t yet understand why but last night was one of those evenings. the evening wasn’t particularly different. there’s a family ritual that […]
The search for a mentor is ongoing, but really what I am needing is astute criticism! My current fascination with chaos and order (stemming from talking about art and maths) has led to thinking about my work in those terms. […]
What is real? What is an original in a digital age?
