So here we are and already it's March. Things are beginning to get sorted in the new studio. There are even a few seedlings growing for the herb garden to go outside the studio door as soon as the weather begins to improve. Which, hopefully, will be soon.
I have started a new series of paintings that I hope will prove interesting. It's always difficult to tell early on but so far I am happy with the new look of the work and the direction of travel. They are all medium size and at the moment they are on board. Nothing ready to frame just yet.
A painting 'resting' in the early stages, this was the first painting I began with the idea in mind to simplify , make the work less busy, not so literal and hopefully more liminal and lyrical. The idea is to draw on memory more than observation. to use colour, and placement of form or motif to evoke a type of narrative centred around the notion of wilderness or wildness.
The Studio Chair
I spend more time resting, reflecting, I watch what is going on outside the studio more than ever now. Currently, what is going on outside is an unprecedented volume of rain and some very early evidence of new Spring growth. This prompts me to reflect more on climate change and on notions of re-wilding and on the small things individuals like us can do to make a small contribution.
So slowly a new theme and a potentially new body of work begins to evolve. Always wracked with self doubt I work and rework ideas, change the timbre of mark-making , lighten the colour palette, add to the tonality, reduce the compositional complexity until I begin to feel confident that the finished piece might just hold up to the scrutiny of others.
looking forward now to spending more time in the garden and hopefully being able to share this new series of work in the next blog.
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