My studio is seeing activity the likes of which it has not seen for many years (and in fact it was another studio in another place far far away).... oil painting! I'm loving the luscious juicy painterliness of oils and having a great time ... here's how my studio looks...
.. and here is a bit of painty goodness for you to enjoy
I recently read Susan Striker (author of the 'Anti Colouring Book series)' 's book 'Young at Art', a book discussing early art experiences for toddlers and preschoolers. Striker advocates for allowing children to explore materials in a progressive way, rather than trying to force young children to engage in representation before they are ready e.g. providing pre-formed shapes, stencils etc. It has made me reflect upon the kind of activity I am doing with my children and to consider avoiding the kind of known outcome that can result from some projects.
With this in mind, when I bought some plain t-shirt for my little ones to make their mark on, I avoided providing stencils or shapes of any kind to use, and just provided them with some suitable fabric paint.
Boo was mostly interested in mixing the colours together, whilst Boo Two was mostly concerned with preventing me from taking his photograph. It is hard to let go of the desire for a 'good' outcome, but really that satisfies only the adults.
For the first time in about 6 years, I cracked open the oil paints and made a couple of eensy weensy little 'fine art' paintings (as opposed to the illustration work I've been doing the last few years). The paintings will be in this anonymous art show for North Vancouver Arts Council. Check it out, all paintings are selling off the wall for $100 a piece and half of the proceeds goes to funding really worthwhile community arts projects.
Well, my exhibiting history may have been rather thin on the ground, err, make that non-existent in the last few years, but here's my little ones proving that its never too early to make a start on your exhibiting career.
Opus Art Supplies, North Vancouver, offered all kids interested in taking part in an art exhibition a free square board for their creation. Here's Boo Two's sponge painting (he's not keen on the finger painting, constantly requiring a 'wash'!
And here's Boo's piece, complete with pink ballerina and collaged fabric flowers (think I've seen them somewhere before!). I didn't make her this girly, please take my word for it, the pinktastic world is entirely of her own choosing.
Boo didn't seem too bothered about having her work exhibited, mostly she just wanted to take it home and put it on our wall, but its a great opportunity to do a 'special' (borrow mummy's artist quality acrylics) picture, and a great focus for the seemingly endless summer break we get here in Canada. I for one hope they do it again next year.
.. and here it is, my latest illustration offering. The girl (based on Boo of course) rides on her beloved bear through the forest of North Vancouver. It's made with a lino print using oil based ink, coloured with watercolour and mounted on a background painted with acrylic. I've left the background more painterly than I usually do, and I'm not sure about this.. is it too much?
I showed Boo the picture and she said 'but my bear doesn't walk like that, he walks on two legs like a human'. There's no pleasing some people!
BEFORE my rampant toddler reached into the box containing my sewing machine (which I foolishly left on the floor) and SNAPPED off the plastic reel holder rendering it unusable, I did actually manage to do some sewing. Here is Boo modelling her 'Doves and Cherries' dress, now with new addition of matching outfit for Kitty Doll. If you like this stuff, check out clothkits which is where I bought it.
Well, its his own fault (ok its actually me own for being quite so stoopit as to think he wouldn't get his hands into EVERYTHING)that he won't be getting his Kit boy doll which I also purchased from Clothkits. At least not until I track down a Singer repairer.
Harrummmph.
I promised you some some art in my last post. It's on its way... soon...
I do believe it's time for somewhat of a re-invention of this blog. With these crazy busy days with two at home and an active boy toddler being one of them, I have found little time for planning and executing arty projects. I haven't wanted to force it for the sake of 'keeping up the blog' and know that things ebb and flow and no doubt in time we will be back again in that place.
However, after some years of tinkering around with my illustration work in the 'margins' of my life, things are starting to come together, and its time for me to bring in centre stage. So I have created a new 'gallery' at the side of this blog where I will be showcasing some of my illustration work as I compile my portfolio to submit to publishers of childrens books. I'll also be writing some posts about how things are going and my working process.
I've been exploring some different approaches in my work and usually end up working in mixed media. I make and dye my own paper sometimes, other times using found papers as well as fabric. Recently I've been making use of some lino and rubber stamping in my work and think there is lots of scope to develop this further.
I'll stop talking now and show you some pictures, hope you enjoy them.
I also have a new page on Facebook which you can go 'like' at CathHughesArt. In time I will figure out how to put one of those nice little buttons on this blog!
