Studio desk
Studio shelving with 'Flock'
I am finding this increasingly difficult. As you may have noticed, but probably didn't, I missed the December edition of my blog. It was close. I actually went so far as to open the page, upload an image and begin typing, but found it increasingly difficult to concentrate on what I was typing and eventually gave up. That said, I have been extremely pro-active in the studio. Yes, I now have a studio fully set up and equipped and I have to say it is the most wonderful thing to have a space of my own where I can work without distraction, where I can put something down for the day rather than pack it away and mostly wonderfully of all I finally have a place where my mind can wander freely. I have a place I can switch off and switch over to think about things other than washing and cooking and cleaning and ironing and what everyone is going to eat for lunch. My studio provides sanctuary, pure indulgent escape, something I have craved for years.
So with my new found freedom an emergence of new ideas has erupted. I am finding it increasingly interesting the way my ideas are unravelling themselves. Usually when I start a painting I have a very firm idea of what the finished work will look like. However, at present I find myself viewing my work from the periphery. I catch a glimpse, but if I turn to look it vanishes. I have vague ideas, I have vast collections, I have no idea, I still have vast collections. I have found my work to be cyclical in that I will pursue one line of inquiry for years until I it runs its course or I run out of momentum. In this case my last few paintings began a line of inquiry that lead to a logic that required change - of subject matter, of materials, of investigation.
Chance played a wonderfully intervening role in providing me with an idea toyed with but not explored which I began some ten years ago and had since forgotten. I have found it has taken on a life of its own, yet I only have parts, a glimpse and not the whole picture. I don't think this is a bad thing, rather I am excited by the possibility of discovery and I am interested to see how the ideas unveil themselves and how the work will progress. I am in no hurry for the work to be completed, preferring it to take its natural course. I must say it is a relief after becoming so meticulous about the previous paintings to relax a little and allow the natural flow of creative thought take its course.
