Here is a photograph I took last weekend while standing in a corn field. I love the textures on the maize husks and the natural skyline behind. It was a beautiful day, and I can't wait to use this image in a future project.
Last Monday, as I was driving to work, I noticed that where the crop of corn had been, it was now barren earth. I am so glad I had my camera to hand last weekend.
I am still working on last week's course instructions that are about getting back to nature, recording your thoughts, sketching, taking photographs and collecting natural elements. If you read my previous posts, I really DO have an ever growing collection.
We were asked to answer some thoughts on 'What enliven's me?'
So here is my list :
1) I am inspired by insects; trees and fossils; birds and their natural song; old, unusual antique finds; stunning landscapes and wonderful sunsets; nature as a whole.
2) I collect stones and pebbles that have certain markings or have natural holes in them; shark's teeth; crystals; fossils; shells; tree twigs or branches; dog fish cases. I have a fascination with old keys and maps (especially when the maps say "Here be dragons!"). To me, they conjure up many different ideas.
3) My two favourite places in the UK are West Wittering Beach and Kingley Vale. Both locations are in West Sussex, near my mother-in-law's house. I love to visit these places in the school holidays and top up my creative flow and... collections!
4) A windy day on the beach makes me feel alive as I listen to the sound of the waves crashing on the shore.
5) I love to read and usually have a couple of books on the go. I love food (I am a man!) especially lots of different cultural flavours. I have a sweet tooth. My sweetheart knows me all too well as she baked me cupcakes last weekend. Yum Yum! And last, but not least, my sweetheart.
6) Friends say I am happy person and have a smile on my face and a bad joke ready to be told. I always have a pen and paper to hand, sketching away in my own world.
7) Favourite colours are all the shades and tones of green.
8) Drawing everyday makes me feel at peace.
9) I am in awe of David Attenborough. A life time of working with nature is, in my opinion, enough to inspire anyone. This is a quote from Nature's Great Events that I think about when I am walking in woodlands or on a coastal shore-line: “Vast movements of ocean and air currents bring dramatic change throughout the year. And in a few special places, these seasonal changes create some of the greatest wildlife spectacles on earth.”
10) I am curious about old, ancient trees and their history; their story (if only they could whisper it).
Here is the progress on two of the updated canvases.
Canvas 1:
Canvas 2:
How is your week progressing? I am eager to get painting again but due to a manic week and late nights, I will have to wait until tomorrow before reaching for those brushes again.
In another post, I am hoping to share some of the resources I am working on with my students. Would you be interested in seeing those?
Until the next time, take care.
Andy
5 comments:
Such a revealing post - I feel like I know much more about you now. I think it was your collections that started my current obsession with stones. It's funny - I really favored your first canvas for the longest time but now it's all about the second one for me. Hope you have an enriching weekend,
Rinda
I am really enjoying watching your canvases grow - they have such depth in the layers now... And yes, to your final question. Lovely to know more of what enlivens you (such a great question) and I will think on't myself this weekend. Hoping you have a glorious time when you get those brushes back in your hands (or your fingers on the canvases!).
Hi, Andy! A great post, and I love the colors and patterns on your canvases. And thanks for posting the list of what "enlivens" you! Very inspiring. I am a bit behind myself with a bit of a crazy schedule, so I'm still at this point as well, and haven't actually written anything down yet, although I've been thinking about my own visual language and some nice things have been coming to the surface. Spending a few days at the ocean has helped!! :-) Looking forward to seeing more stuff! And yes, I'd be very interested to see what you're working on with your students. I am also a children's book author and illustrator, and I'm always interested in student projects!
Oops, my weird blogger name came up -- this previous post is from Stephanie Brockway, from Flora's class!! :-)
What a great post and so lovely to learn more about you. I am just loving the second canvas today. I see dragon fly's , a lovely face and flowers. How the canvasses have changed! Yes I would love to see what you are working on.
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