Yesterday I filled a freezer bag with plaster and here are the results:
Unfortunately with this design of bag, the plastic has got stuck in the fold but apart from that I like the shape it has created. Shall experiment with different bags.
Cast of time
Recently I have been messing about with plaster to make brooches, collage and now sculptures. I had an idea way back when to make physical sculptures out of PVA glue, but quickly discovered it wouldn’t dry in large quantities in my lifetime! When making brooches, I fell in love with the instantaneous nature of plaster. I was experimenting with adding different materials to the plaster and then laying plaster on different materials. I poured a bit into a plastic bag to see what shape it created. It made a cast of the bottom of it, with the creases and seam details on show.
The idea of making a cast of time was born. I am currently waiting for a bag filled with plaster to dry and am very excited indeed. The next thing for me to work out is how I measure time using the material. I think the measuring of time will be done using the water, which will then be mixed with the plaster, but have some thinking to do!
So intrigued
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!