Sunday 5 January 2014

Art@41 : ...looking forward...

Art@41 : ...looking forward...: "New horizons?!" (quick snap while out with hubby during the festive season) ....well to do that I should say,  looking back ...

...looking forward...

"New horizons?!"
(quick snap while out with hubby during the festive season)
....well to do that I should say,  looking back 2013 was definitely a year of challenges and changes!...(I seem to notice this was a pattern from many so I know I'm not alone!) which is why I'm looking forward to 2014 for many reasons!...

...a new day, a new month or a new year brings new opportunities...staying positive and seeing projects through to the end is something that takes patience, determination and .....to some creativity!....mine appears to have taken to hibernating over the festive period, which isn't such a bad thing as we all need a break...but I have a deadline of the 20th January for 5 assemblage boxes going to an exhibition in Hull!

I have to admit I have laughed and enjoyed "building" at my latest piece....while making space for more of my collectible ephemera...I came across an old wooden construction set I'd acquired...so after musing over some ideas "under construction" is my next piece...I just need to find some old building plans and hopefully it will be ready in time.
"under construction" next to "Key finds"
These dark months have been made bearable by working in my studio most evenings...I'd never have thought 5 years ago, I'd have a fantastic purpose built studio in my garden...I just love it!.. hubby has moved his photographic studio in with me....which is OK actually....he provides much humour, tea and biscuits!...

....and my lovely and very unexpected Christmas gift from my son has been installed and already been in use...

...I've tidied up a bit...like you do!...
...so I can make more mess...but it is constructive!
I recently had a small stall alongside an exhibition at Woodend Gallery, Scarborough called "Make it slow"...this was one of my favourite pieces "White flow" by Fenella Elms..it was absolutely fantastic...the exhibition wanted to introduce new audiences to contemporary art with unusual and progressive crafts. (lovely write up in Jan/feb Crafts magazine pg 66) it doesn't finish until the 31st January so still time yet to visit....
Fenella Elms "White flow" - porcelain

Something else I attended with my friend Helen Birmingham was the much anticipated "Art party conference" held at the Spa in Scarborough mid November....
...the event was organised and hosted by Bob and Roberta Smith...
 (& I believe funded by the arts council)
it was definitely different, a bit staged in parts as it was predominantly the backdrop for a film funded by the arts council...but non the less, it got folk talking about arts with in the education system...I was chuffed I got to see Cornelia Parker talk about her childhood memories amongst others...and I loved Karen Thompson's "Goveshy"take on the whole event...

Janet White...installation
images made in response to Mr Gove
by students at the school I work at.


...just a few pictures to show off the event! it should be interesting to see the finished film...as I have already felt the effects of Mr Goves take on the arts within education ( reduced art taught in schools meant redundancy from art/textile post a few years ago) I hope it makes a few important ripples that could lead to art being taken more seriously and better  represented within our schools.



A long overdue blog and a few images to hopefully keep you interested in what I have been doing...my creative hibernation is about to finish as the festive season comes to a close....
I look forward to sharing new works, events, visits and much, much more over the coming year.

Thanks for following and continuing to read my blog.... 
Happy new year, take care & I'll be back again soon