01/09/20
Power is out.
02/09/20
The Rashomon Effect: When the same event is described in significantly different and often contradictory ways by people who were involved.
03/09/20
I do feel a little stuck with the Crimean Painting. Some sketchbook work - get back to the drawing board.
06/09/20
Death Masks: bottling the soul, bottling the trauma.
08/09/20
Very strange few days. ‘Taking Orders’ painting - just not sure where to go with it. Leaving it aside for now and having a look at adding a recent sketch and incorporating it into an old abandoned piece. The only good thing I can see in the failed ‘St. Lurach’s’ work is that weeping willow to the left. It should stay in some capacity.
Very lethargic for some reason.
Thoughts = NOT A REALIST PAINTER!!!
Lifelike/ reality isn’t what I’m aiming for in drawing or painting. Yes, sometimes a more realistic application or approach is required depending on what the image dictates. EG: ‘GO’K’ works in that it hints at realism but ultimately leaves the majority of the portrait minimal - barely any detail. This is not just limited to composition, but especially colour I think.
10/09/20
Belfast bound.
So good to get to the MAC for the degree shows from the Belfast School of Art.
‘Confessional’ reopening was great! It’s a show I’m very proud of.
12/09/20
Some good progress on ‘The Voyage Home’. Less is more - even on this scale I think. Suits the image and composition well.
13/09/20
Finished!
15/09/20
Halfway through September! HOW?!?!
Figuring out ideas for next steps and possibilities. Good to get some sketching done tonight. Forgot how accessible sketching smaller than A4 is.
18/09/20
Guston and de Kooning - both developed making works with a ‘formula’ able to commercialise work / work that could be made in their sleep and sell no problem. Both rejected this formula and started again.
Integrity.
‘Elizabeth’ and ‘Mary Ann’ studies - the looser the better.
20/09/20
Detail of ‘Elizabeth Study’ - work in progress
I think I’m coming close to a mini burn out as far as studio work is concerned. Might be good to take a step back, read and research for a few days and see where we are.
22/09/20
Finished the little portrait studies. Really different approach but that’s no bad thing. Started some new canvases.
“Art is a wound turned into light.”
‘Elizabeth Study’ and ‘Mary Ann Study’
23/09/20
Research - that’s about it.
24/09/20
Some good progress in the studio today.
25/09/20
Got scared very easily.
Sketchbook work.
26/09/20
Five canvases on the go at the minute. Best to focus on one or two at a time. First up., ‘Waiting Room’. It’s been a while from I attempted this image.
Seats / Symbols?
‘The Waiting Room’ - detail
27/09/20
What was light at the end of the tunnel has turned into a dark abyss. Shrug it off and keep going.
28/09/20
Sketching
29/09/20
So the past few days have seen a real drop in productivity and drive. Reasons or not —> focusing on work will help. Taking a mini break will also help. Easy to fall into old, procrastinating habits.
Meaty questions.
30/09/20
Studio all clean and tidy!
