Monday 26 July 2010

In reply


Readers I am delighted to report that following a deep and restful sleep I am once more myself. Admittedly, come 6.30pm as it is now and a day involving my son having a play date and learning to ride his bike without stabilisers, I am perhaps a little jaded round the edges, but the mood remains buoyant even if the energy doesn't!

I read a delightful blog post this morning that hit my creative soul like a dose of espresso. Amelia from 101 Bird Tales (aka my art teacher from Experimental Art) is writing on the joys of finding your creative outlet. Art is not necessarily about paint she reminds us. I had this self same conversation with my sister at the weekend as we looked back not too fondly at our 'art lessons' at school. Art at school was about paint. It was either watercolour or oil. It was still life, portrait or landscape. It was about passing exams. Creativity and imagination, let alone providing food for the soul apparently had no place. We were only shown how to pass exams, not explore what sparked our creativity, what made us laugh out loud with pleasure at the sheer fun of it or to experiment with what art meant for us. I really hope things are different now...

Now I know that while sometimes, you have to think about your audience - if you were hoping to licence your work for a stationery range perhaps or working on a commission. However, most of the time I personally just let go. This week I had fun with the Three Muses 'Odd Bird' challenge. My imagination was given free reign to rummage around in my subconscious (and my magazine stash) for the very treasures that an odd bird like myself might wish to use with such a prompt.

So, I created this crazy piece for me - a most literal interpretation! I collaged a background, painted over it and rubbed it with a soggy tea bag before leaving it out to dry in the summer sun. I poured over Vogue and snipped and formed the features of my feathered friend. She's quite the fashionista this bird - look at all that bling too. She totters around the savannah in her 4 inch heels and flaps those feathers regally. If she had a nose, she would look down it at her lesser plumed cousins.
Oh yes, and before I forget, Amelia will be running the Experimental Art eCourse again in the Autumn - I can't recommend it enough.

26 comments:

  1. well, it's so nice to know that you felt inspired. Sometimes my blog posts just come pouring out and I'm not sure where they come from and then boom it's written - sometimes it's easier than when making a piece of art!

    Glad the mood is bouyant again in your neck of the woods and glad to hear you go wild and do what you wish with art. You're so right about school - my art lessons were like this and you should SEE what my daughter just got for her homework. It is fab! Guerilla art work with extensive links to Keri Smith and the creative perch blog - they've just been told to go off and be explorers! - I wanted to do it too!

    Keep up the great and inspiring things you do :) I am in the process of writing a short course ;)

    Amelia.x

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  2. ps. thanks a tonne for the link - people are signing up and I'm looking forward to it with group 3! x

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  3. I'm glad you're back to your fun self again--would you just look at this birdie! I...LOVE..her!!

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  4. LOVE your birdie, love the bling, love the big eye head!
    Have fun and glad you are on an upswing!

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  5. I'm loving this birdie (and her blings) of yours. Full of life and fun! Just fab. ;D

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  6. I Love her,she is so adorable! Glad you're feeling better. Going to check out the experimental art e course now,thanks for the link.

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  7. oh so much fun with this piece....great to hear you are better now!!! HAve a wonderful day!!!

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  8. I love your interpretation! So glad I didn't call last night as I was worried you might be too tired.
    Will try a little later in the week (Josh is visiting). ;D
    Hugs♥

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  9. this is very very cool my fren!! it's stunning!

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  10. Oh my, oh my, this is exactly what I had in mind...for everyone to have free-wheeling fun. This is fantastic, creative, and JUST PLAIN FUN! Applause from my corner!

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  11. What a wonderful and funny piece!

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  12. That's one fancy bird! Fantastic!

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  13. Watch this birdie!!!
    Wonderful!

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  14. Wonderful!! What a great piece of art. Love it.

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  15. Love those heels! Love it all! Great fun.xx

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  16. Your bird reminds me of you - quirky and full of fun! Glad you got your SOTR back!!! ;)

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  17. Love this funny piece of 'art'.
    Great!!!

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  18. how cool is that??!! great interpretation!

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  19. Eye totally get this one :)

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  20. Well my friend, I am so pleased to see you gave your imagination free reign because this odd bird is hilarious and a tonic for a rainy morning here in the UK.

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  21. A fabulous fashionista bird! Hope she can walk in those shoes, and love her head!

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  22. An odd an flashy bird indeed but with her own style and, yes, elegance. I love her bejewelled tail and wings!
    A fantastic take on this week's theme. Standing O from me!!

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  23. This creation is gorgeous! Love the shoes :-)

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Thank you for your comments - I always love to hear what you think :)

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