Must investigate. Shall report findings.
Rectangles of joy
Concrete grey found around the city.
Favourite grey
The grey paint they use to cover up graffiti and tags that turn up on walls around the city, is my favourite grey. The squares of it everywhere makes me very happy indeed.
Feeling festive
The book ‘Bird study in a garden’ A Book for Bird Watchers by Eric Ennion (1900 – 1981) inspired me to pick up a paintbrush again. His illustrations are beautiful and his observations about the unique characteristic of birds are wonderful. He also draws incredible diagrams of the profile of a garden and territory maps. I used acrylics and quickly remembered the importance of a good paintbrush!
I was also given the book ‘A colour guide to familiar Butterflies Caterpillars and Chrysalides.’ Next time I’m going to paint some butterflies I think. It would be good to have a collection of cut out painted butterflies in specimen display cases.
Samples of the ground
When I was in Edinburgh we visited the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. One piece of art in the collection really stood out to me; The Boyle Family – Addison Crescent Study (London Series).
It is a three-dimensional replica of a kerb from Addison Crescent in West London. They take a mould of the floor and then using fibreglass create the support and paint it (I think!). It looks like a piece of pavement has been suspended on the wall. It’s extremely realistic and detailed. I like the fact that it is hung on the wall alongside paintings but is very much 3d and sculptural.
Here is an interesting video of The Boyle Family:
11.11.11 11 Hours, 11 Minutes and 11 Seconds
Yesterday was a day with a moment that will not happen again in my life time. Regardless of that, I missed it as I was at the printer at work. Disappointed I text my Dad who consoled me with the genius idea that I could experience the American version of this moment. So at 4pm (11am New York time) I sat in front of my camera, which was set up facing my laptop to capture this second of history via an online clock.
I like the idea that if you miss a certain time in a day, you can just gatecrash another time zone.
Scottish delights
Whilst holidaying in the ‘burgh I spotted these chairs. I like that they mark a journey to somewhere for me. I will remember where I was going and how I was feeling when I saw them. They stop me in my tracks and changes my direction, and this is what makes me smile.
Elizabeth Blackadder
Yesterday I went to see the exhibition of Elizabeth Blackadder, who I discovered is a great Scottish artist who has a unique style which can be seen across all her work including paintings, drawings, tapestries, print making. The way she captures objects of interest and puts them together is beautiful. There are often layers in the images, through windows or on tables and they are sometimes quite 2d looking. There is lots of Japanese influence and an underlying collectors instinct.
I intend to sit down with a cuppa this afternoon and read the exhibition catalogue. The sun is shining too, not bad for a Wednesday!
Found art
Yesterday, I stepped off the bus to see this display directly in front of me. At first I didn’t recognise the white metal outline as a chair and part of me thought it looked like someone had thrown out of a found art exhibit.
When I saw it was the outline frame and shell of a chair, I stopped and stared. I often wonder what people think when they see me crouched down with my camera, observing discarded sights smiling. I don’t care particularly, although there are moments where I pretend to be doing something else if they look like they might start asking questions.
I like the fact that it could be a line drawing and the perspective is hard to gage without it’s seat. The worn out wheel looks completely defunct and resigned to it’s ending.
Early riser
A wise and wonderful friend suggested to me last night that I could blog in the morning before my hands are tired from work. As I’m attempting to train myself to be an early riser, this felt like a cracking idea!
This morning I took these almost silhouetted photos of a garden chair. Definitely getting the hint summer’s over when garden chairs are skipped!