My first collage!

 

Never knew having bits of paper stuck to your fingers could be so fun. As well as annoying. Cut n glue heaven.

more lovely notebooks..

 

I might do a photodiary of all the things I love. hmmmmm. Will keep thinking about that..

 

 

I think my camera got freaked out by these sketches, poor thing. Hence the fuzzy shot.

 

Heres my baby! and it has this magnet flap, and a blue ribbon inside and an extra pocket inside for any loose sheets......
I need to get out more..lol

back to my first love....

 

After a cold winter hiatus, I spent a magical weekend in the sun (yes, it really was magical) with a beautiful notebook I recieved as a xmas present from a dear friend. With this I became unexpectedly inspired by my first love: poetry.
I hadn't written in soo long, that I was beginning to think it was only ever meant to be a brief creative fling. But with a little bedtime poetry reading as well as my cycles of drawing and not drawing, i suddenly found I couldnt stop writing!
Being motivated and inspired really does miracles for me. I become a very happy little bunny.By the way, this was the magical book by Ruth Padel. Shes a wonderful critic and poet herself. A useful book for those who are poetry virgins or like me, need abit of encouragement to get back to writing again. Having a gorgeous notebook does wonders too.

First sketch of 2008

 

.

I have to get out of this artistic wasteland and do something in my little studio NOW! Art can be inspired by life but it can also be put to one side by it too. The latter heavily applies to me. Teaching, and saving money bY having lunch at home rather than going out, organising my finances has all left me feeling a little out of sync with my creative efforts.
I need to paint! will squeeze in a visit to my local artshop and get a lovely blank canvas. That should get me going again.
In the meantime i thought i would share the insanely creative antics of Suziblu. Shes an artist who posts videoblogs on youtube of all her artjournals. Shes a little kooky but i couldnt help admiring her for her self confidence and commitment towards creating things.

I loved reading this little insight into how people experience museums and galleries. People watching instead of whats on the walls doesnt seem to be such a terrible thing after all. I think people have a fascination towards themselves and others, and museums are spaces designed purely for this: to look. Its funny how people often use their mobiles to take photos of art work, and how quickly people move on to the next piece without really looking. But at the same time, looking at ourselves through others never fails to fascinate us.Even I do it, bus stops, cafes, libraries. Especially since Its still difficult for me to understand alot of Portuguese. Instead, I find that i remember gestures people makes towards each other and Im always attentive towards the way people react when I try to speak Portuguese. If they're not smiling then its not a good sign!

Books and art. Fascinating work by Tom Phillips. Takes illustration and text to a completely new level. Love it. Oh and if you havent noticed already, I have finally figured out the linking thing. Hurrah!

Busy doing everything but painting....

I haven't been particularly inspired recently. My oil paints and brushes look very sad and lonely these days. I'm still keen on exploring the circus/blokes wearing lipstick theme, not sure why but I feel very drawn towards the art of masquerade.
In the meantime, heres a moment of visual inspiration by Tacita Dean. The idea and execution drew me in completely. Still no clue about this linking business but will get on to it when I can....Go to www.moma.org to find out more about her.

 

These cold streets...

 

Ive stared at this piece for far too long now. Never thought roof tiles could look so beautiful. The magic of Scheille.

 

 

Happy New Year

Suffering from a case of artists block, blogstipated would be the best way to describe it. Trying to finish a piece as we speak. Will post it when I've convinced myself that its slightly more than a big pile of artistic poo. But I shall persevere in my little felt tip absurdities on paper....