Up-cycling & new conversations

Why?                                        Because.......................................... I have to.

It might appear like an old cliche but it is true; true in the sense that this project has reawakened an excitement and drive that was in danger of being subsumed by mediocrity. I am aware that it has been there, lurking around the corner, the opportunity that the funding has afforded me cannot be underestimated.

As part of this process I was looking at some old work that I still had, two images that were of the River Thames and I decided that they were not valid anymore, probably because they were never valid.  With this in mind I began to work on top of them using translucent layers, the notion of sealing the history of the painting within itself & not totally eradicating it proved to be, quite enlightening. For a start, I was working onto a surface that had a structure that was figurative and had a right way up, so I put them on their sides joined together and began. It was important to maintain an open-ended approach and to not see the boats, buildings and water. This was taking me right back to my Foundation course and the valuable lesson we learnt about letting go; letting go of the idea of preciousness and time investment, the not wanting to spoil it - we learnt this after spending 3hrs painting a still life only to return after lunch to our washed out works courtesy of our tutor Bill Clark. A very valuable lesson.

stage 3

stage 5

stage 7

stage 9                                              Thames Barrier                                                                               4ftx3ft           

The next image is again an old painting revisited and renewed with an innate response. As always the only way to start is to physically make a mark on the surface, just like a word on a blank piece of paper. Once something is down then the dialogue begins, as a process led way of working I am responding at the time to what emerges and it is this dialogue that leads me to understand what is being or not being said - it needs to be an exchange of views for and, against - naturally, it is not without decisions being taken, what to leave in/ leave out, these usually involve as always the image being around and going on a gut instinct as to what is needed, what stays, what goes & when to end the conversation.

She Sells Sea Shells                                                                                              3ftx2ft

The painting below is a response to a barely started canvas by someone else long abandoned, there being the beginings of a black triangle. It seemed important to retain the presence of the triangle and as always it is about the division of space through shape and colour.
 

Adjusting Newton                                                16insx10ins

Sometimes there are moments of sheer clarity that take you by surprise, you know when things fall into place - brush, mark, colour, thin, fat, opacity, translucency, speed, weight - as if you are witness to events that ironically you are but, are not involved in. ??????????????

Vital Spark                                                                                                           4ftx4ft