01/08/20
So saddened to hear of the passing of Chris Ledger. She was a true friend of the arts in NI and helped me in both a professional and personal capacity. Her tenacity and drive will be sorely missed.
02/08/20
Cleaning and priming.
03/08/20
‘Seashore Jester’ … over-painted to the point of no return - burnt and slashed. Good progress on “Enfield Study” though.
Close up of “Enfield Study”.
It’s finally happened! I’ve had a little painting accepted into this year’s RUA exhibition!
04/08/20
Wee day off.
05/08/20
“Enfield Study” finished.
Watched ‘Apocalypse Now’ properly for the first time. The real animal sacrifice at the end was disturbing.
06/08/20
Sketched out some new canvases including a narrow set for a triptych.
Object connected to the figure rather than the figure itself so may need to rethink the centre canvas.
…a few people have told me how “Enfield Study” disturbs them and makes them feel uncomfortable. So a job well done.
07/08/20
Lots of blocking in compositions today.
10/08/20
Greenberg vs Read (HANDBAGS!)
Sketchbook work.
14/08/20
Jenny Saville in the “A Brush With” podcast is great!
When asked what is art for, Saville replies:
“Art is for life. Art is for survival. You know it’s a shock of recognition that you feel a sense of belonging you recognise yourself in the world. I really believe it’s for survival. It’s intrinsic to being human. We either have to make marks or it’s like singing or making music. It’s fundamental to being a human being. I can’t imagine doing anything else. When I’m in the process of painting I feel very in touch with myself in a sense that nothing else I’ve ever done in my life does.”
Satellite paths
16/08/20
Nothing the past few days due to another trip to the hospital.
18/08/20
One year to go.
19/08/20
Finished “Exhibits A to C”. Good to get painting again after a little setback. Chuffed to be names Catalyst Art’s Member of the Month for August!
20/08/20
Some good studio time in today.
21/08/20
“A painting which is from a specific photograph - you have to go beyond the photograph so you have to make the paint do something and once it gets a nature of itself then it belongs to the world and it takes a long time to get be in that field.”
Jenny Saville (link for interview here)
23/08/20
“Avarice is the enemy of virtue.”
Leon Battista Alberti
Sketching and mostly failing.
25/08/20
Studio time but nothing too strenuous.
Great to have a virtual catch up with UoA folk!
29/08/20
Trauma is inarticulate.
Some good progress on “But I Don’t Get It”. Still flat in areas but it’s nearly there.
31/08/20
Finished “B.I.D.G.I.”