September 8, 2011
Yesterday was a long day. I spent the majority of my time printing out imagery and prepping materials - transferring images onto paper and wood, cutting it out, distressing it. I felt absolutely lost. The pressure of creating work that people with a lot of moeny can connect with is huge. Monumental. I started a piece of work and then at 3:00 decided I should take the dog out for a walk to get some fresh air and maybe gain a bit of perspective. I'd like to say that I came back with profound clarity, but I didn't. And I just couldn't go back into the studio. So I took reprieve in the kitchen and made some spiced toffee muffins with wild apples picked from Folly Hill while prepping meat pasties for dinner. Funny how I felt so much more in control of my creativity in the kitchen. And then Dave called and said we should head to Bourton for quiz night at Helen & Mark's local. I'm so glad we did even though I was able to answer a pitiful two questions. My poor geographical sense is so embarrassing. I can identify every single American state and name its capital. But when it comes to the rest of the world, I'm pathetic. Capital of Romania? Bucharest. Capital of Ukraine? Kiev. Well, at least they've ben seared into my brain (I think), thanks to the quiz (and my missing them). I wonder if my lack of knowledge is indicative of the general Amiercan public or if it's just that I"m stupid. I never thought myself to be stupid until moving here which made me realize just how poor my international knowledge is. Oh well....c'est la vie!
Now for today - I finished the piece I started yesterday. I used an old Crisco label as one of my main focal points in the composition, which might be a mistake. I'm pretty sure they don't have Crisco in England. Well, certainly they don't currently. So I'm a bit unsure how that will translate to the British public - whereas it will certainly hit a chord with the majroity of Americans. Especially those my mom's age. But I'm taking a chance and sticking with it. The piece is kind of about the tart of my Gramma's drinking problem and includes a picture of Gramma with my mom and Uncle Mike when they were maybe around 5 or so. This would be a few years before Grandpa Robert died. The picture is very sad and poignant to me. So why include Crisco along with that picture? Very simply: that is my Gramma! She used Crisco for EVERYTHING from making pastry to frying up pork chops and hamburgers (as if they needed extra fat!). Oh my Gramma - my tiny little Gramma who struggled to reach 90lbs! I think the final product is OK. I'm not totally sure about it....it's perhaps on the lighter side; could use a bit more contrast or punch of color. But I think for now it's best for me to put it aside and just let it gestate for a bit. Maybe it'll just be a piece that inspires something greater. I think instead of focusing on completing four pieces because that's my goal, I need to think about creating as much work as I can in the next four weeks and see where it takes me. And then Aiden can decide what he likes. Hopefully I come up with something he thinks is worthy of a test!
Yesterday was a long day. I spent the majority of my time printing out imagery and prepping materials - transferring images onto paper and wood, cutting it out, distressing it. I felt absolutely lost. The pressure of creating work that people with a lot of moeny can connect with is huge. Monumental. I started a piece of work and then at 3:00 decided I should take the dog out for a walk to get some fresh air and maybe gain a bit of perspective. I'd like to say that I came back with profound clarity, but I didn't. And I just couldn't go back into the studio. So I took reprieve in the kitchen and made some spiced toffee muffins with wild apples picked from Folly Hill while prepping meat pasties for dinner. Funny how I felt so much more in control of my creativity in the kitchen. And then Dave called and said we should head to Bourton for quiz night at Helen & Mark's local. I'm so glad we did even though I was able to answer a pitiful two questions. My poor geographical sense is so embarrassing. I can identify every single American state and name its capital. But when it comes to the rest of the world, I'm pathetic. Capital of Romania? Bucharest. Capital of Ukraine? Kiev. Well, at least they've ben seared into my brain (I think), thanks to the quiz (and my missing them). I wonder if my lack of knowledge is indicative of the general Amiercan public or if it's just that I"m stupid. I never thought myself to be stupid until moving here which made me realize just how poor my international knowledge is. Oh well....c'est la vie!
Now for today - I finished the piece I started yesterday. I used an old Crisco label as one of my main focal points in the composition, which might be a mistake. I'm pretty sure they don't have Crisco in England. Well, certainly they don't currently. So I'm a bit unsure how that will translate to the British public - whereas it will certainly hit a chord with the majroity of Americans. Especially those my mom's age. But I'm taking a chance and sticking with it. The piece is kind of about the tart of my Gramma's drinking problem and includes a picture of Gramma with my mom and Uncle Mike when they were maybe around 5 or so. This would be a few years before Grandpa Robert died. The picture is very sad and poignant to me. So why include Crisco along with that picture? Very simply: that is my Gramma! She used Crisco for EVERYTHING from making pastry to frying up pork chops and hamburgers (as if they needed extra fat!). Oh my Gramma - my tiny little Gramma who struggled to reach 90lbs! I think the final product is OK. I'm not totally sure about it....it's perhaps on the lighter side; could use a bit more contrast or punch of color. But I think for now it's best for me to put it aside and just let it gestate for a bit. Maybe it'll just be a piece that inspires something greater. I think instead of focusing on completing four pieces because that's my goal, I need to think about creating as much work as I can in the next four weeks and see where it takes me. And then Aiden can decide what he likes. Hopefully I come up with something he thinks is worthy of a test!
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