Bunny

Another day of animal antics. Two more suitcase scenes were set up: one on a holiday theme, teeming with clothes, books and a rather lovely camera, the other packed with vintage toys. Maybe I'm regressing back to childhood (or else the black cat from yesterday's still life has given me the bug), but I couldn't resist the toys. Something about the limp limbed bunny. Made a very slow and rather tight start - not best pleased - but hopefully I'll begin to unwind over the next two weeks. The scene seemed to bring out my illustrative tendencies actually - not very painterly, but somehow appropriate! I can't help thinking of Shirley Hughes' picture books...

The return!

First day back at school (am finally making up for the 9 classes I missed during my 'convalescence') - fantastic to see everybody, and to don my painting shirt again. Ian set up a really engaging still life, an old suitcase overflowing with books and vintage clothes. And at the forefront, stealing the show, was a little toy cat - a scruffy, black specimen with a slightly unhinged expression. I think I'm in love.

Big Day Out

It's three weeks since my accident, and I'm having to live life in the slow lane still. Popped into Heatherley's to say hello to staff and tutors on Friday - lovely to see everyone, and share some of my concerns with people whose right hands are the their livelihood! Recovery is going to take some time, as will getting used to my two ghost fingers (which I'm willing back to full health. Come on digits!) - but I will be getting on the painting/drawing wagon as soon as I can. I had my first solo expedition in ages the other day (bless), visiting the 'Mythologies' exhibition at the Haunch of Venison and then the Kuniyoshi prints exhibition at the Royal Academy. 'Mythologies' is fantastic, luring the spectator through labyrinthine passages of art (Christian Boltanski's shadow puppets and Polly Morgan's taxidermy stand out). Macabre and magical, it hinges on the idea of the 'Wunderkammer' or Cabinet of Curiosities - recreating the heavy, timeless atmosphere of monolithic establishments like the British Museum. Very thought provoking. Kuniyoshi on the other hand, was a real giggle. Forget beautiful geisha girls or lyrical Japanese landscapes, his samurais are the bomb.

Time Out

Had a horrible accident last weekend that's left me with nerve damage to my right hand. I won't go on, as you've probably already heard the gruesome details. Needless to say I'm having to take some time out from school - need to mend a little before I take up the brush again! Am keeping positive. Have full mobility thank god, and pray that the nerve damage will repair in 6 months to a year. Horribly painful at the moment, but then it would be. Cannot wait to get back to Heatherleys though. I miss it all! The atmosphere, the fantastic tutors, the challenge, the meditation. Ah well, it will be all the sweeter for this hiatus!

The Finished Article (I think...)

I think I've finally finished me' shed. Spent the day in my own little bubble, listening to Hospital Podcasts - was satisfyingly in the zone. The earth in the foreground may need some more work (it looks a little flat at the moment), but I'm really happy with the reeds and greenery that I've worked up - thanks to my new, badass rigger brush. Generally, I'm pleased with the 'hierarchy' of space: the way that the flanking buildings give way to the main event. It's not perfect, but I think this is a big step in the right direction. My tutors were really positive about the finished product, which was nice. There's nothing like praise!

Taking Shape

This is my third week working on the shed, and I'm super chuffed because its beginning to take shape. I never thought I'd enjoy the challenge of a landscape - but there's something very compelling about creating a sense of place. Will need to work up the earthy foreground and the green patch/horizon next session, adding the reeds which should lend the composition a dynamic, vertical element. First I need to invest in a 'rigger' brush; a slender, sable brush that will allow me to treat the reeds with the delicacy they deserve. Basically, there's lots left to do, but I've broken the back of this badboy. Other news: plans are underway for my next screen-print, one which will hopefully find its way onto a t-shirt. Think Slush Puppie, gone wrong... I just love channelling the 80s.

Bed-bound

The much dreaded lurgi caught up with me this week, keeping me from Heatherleys for 3 days. Having gone through the (very unattractive) motions of flu, I was able to leave the confines of my room for the first time yesterday. Swaddled in full arctic gear, and dosed up on Beechams, I made my way to work (I'm a part time bookseller) - let me tell you, I tore it up! Cabin fever does wonders for customer service it would seem... Can't wait to get back to school on Tuesday now - my unfinished shed is calling, and Allan has promised to bring in a stuffed seagull for me to paint. Gotta love taxidermy. Seeing as I have nothing in the way of new work to post then - having been quite the absentee - here's a very poor quality photo of a sketch I did recently. I hadn't thought of doing an oil 'sketch' before (I associate the medium with slow, sustained work), but I thought I'd give it a go after being bought an oil sketchpad for my birthday. A shell provides the subject, as you can hopefully tell, and this took under an hour. Just a little something, not fantastically fleshed out; but I rather like it!