Headaches & heads Day 19

Saturday 20th April 2013

I set off early to walk to Shrub Hill station only to find Saturday timetables are different; not only was the train I was hoping to get on later than expected but when I eventually sat on it found it didn’t stop at my stop, the university (evidently students sleep in on Saturdays and don’t need to attend lectures, silly me). I therefore got off and walked on to Foregate St. station, enjoying the early morning sights of Worcester. Eventually arriving at Winterbourne for their big child friendly bug orientated open day an hour later than expected I sidestepped a banana skin that I suspected had been deliberately placed on the pavement opposite Winterbourne to find I had forgotten my lipstick! I had to make do the whole day with lip liner which as any self respecting female will know has zero moisturising affect and is not the same thing as lipstick by any means.

Imagine my surprise therefore when half way through a session with 29 charcoal experimenting little ones (Esthers and Ellas and Orlas and Bellas) I was tapped on the shoulder by my old headmistress, Miss Evans. My goodness I thought, you’re wearing trousers (Miss Evans always wore a perfectly accessorized twin set & twin suit). Woh! I thought, do not say anything; you are not wearing lipstick (people in glass houses). I unfroze from shock and substituted a curtsy (which would have been over the top) for an awkward kiss on the cheek which seemed to do the trick. Hey ho. 

Art Review: Lucy Tomlins

It is fitting that the current sound installation by artist Lucy Tomlins- composed of moments recorded at a Premier League football match and interlaced with recordings by Worcester Cathedral choristers- can be found in the Cathedral’s Chapter House, for its unique circular design creates near perfect acoustics. Normally one person talking can be heard from any other seat in this round building so it is an extraordinary experience to hear the whole of the West Bromwich Albion fan base juxtaposed with Worcester Cathedral’s choir in songs of praise and worship.

Familiar renditions of psalms and football songs are interwoven to create a new evocative sound piece which is mesmerising, haunting and at times startling. Laughter, clapping, chanting, and sudden silence capture the fervour, euphoria & disappointment of the football ground; the harmony and the discord.

This is a must hear experience especially to convert those who only see art as visual. Whilst I was there visitors commented, “profoundly clever,” “excited as a Baggies fan,” “loud.”

Built nearly a thousand years ago the Chapter House was once a meeting place for monks; now hearing the roof raised to both the angelic and raucous strains of Psalm 23 and When the Saints Go Marching In, I think they would approve.

Art Review: Dan Roach

Art Review

A new exhibition in Worcester Cathedral, “The Foundations of Remembrance “by Cumbrian born artist and University of Worcester lecturer Dan Roach shows five recent abstract paintings and one drawing in a quiet corner of the cathedral known as the crypt. “Crypt” meaning “hidden place” is very apt as the viewer has to search out the art works hidden in and amongst the thousand year old stone pillars as the artist creates a dialogue between his art and the cathedral architecture.

The exhibition concludes his eighteen month artist in residency; small, intimate in scale and finely executed, the paintings contrast with the almighty scale of the cathedral and have a whispering presence; however with no labelling there are few clues as to their meaning. The paintings are a response to Dan’s memories of places he once inhabited and an attempt to visualise the sensation of security he once felt.

During the course of his residency he has developed a visual language based on the motif of a six sided shape taken from a wasps’ nest. “I’m interested in the notion of re-visitation to places that no longer exist and how the poetic reimaging of such spaces might be explored through painting and drawing,” he states. The resulting exhibition is contemplative, enigmatic and worth revisiting if only to find some answers.

High winds & blades Day 18

Wednesday 17th April.

My how the year is skidding past. High winds meant that on arrival one of the volunteers who had been helping the staff put up a large marquee was very nearly badly hurt when a sudden gust meant the whole thing buckled; needless to say it was taken down immediately. Working on the process today cutting stencils and trying not to cut my fingers off. I was taking a section form a painting and putting it into another – like a transplant – or inlay. Popping out the stencils reminded me of those found at the bottom of the cereal packet. The plastic I am using is very strong consequently very difficult to cut. Forgot the plasters but didn’t need them. Realise I was working with stencils at the Museum of Royal Worcester. Forgot my camera. Went for a walk after lunch and saw these enormous yellow “crocae” which are called swamp lanterns (or skunk cabbage). Chatted to volunteer Hugh who was digging the anthemis border which was decimated by last year’s wet summer; also Berry who was tidying up the sunken garden and asked me if her eye looked sore; fortunately not.Yesterday I wrote a review of the Lucy Tomlins sound installation at Worcester Cathedral which I will upload plus my review of Dan Roach’s exhibition. Chatted to folk from Canada and southern India. Of course today was the day of Margaret Thatcher’s funeral so Winterbourne was very quiet. Arrived home at six thirty and slept for over an hour.

Collage & Chaucer Day 17

Friday April 5th 

On my way in from the station I checked out the exhibition William Morris & the Kelmscott Press in the Muirhead Tower. I felt very priviledged to be able to handle the original Kelmscott Chaucer tome- William Morris’ last great project before his death. Beautifully executed with delightful illustrations by Edward Burne-Jones. Arrived in the studio to find a note from my old English teacher Miss Jones saying she was sorry she’d missed me but will be back to do drawing in the grounds over the summer. Worked on a collage all day pre colouring sheets of paper with acylic first and working up a small A6 pastel drawing into a larger A2 study. Quite pleased with the result; am inching towards something elusive. Also worked on a figurative study of Nina with wet hair from swimming in a limited palette: black, white and blue; semi successful. The first was in my sketchbook and I left the second study on the wall of the studio. Not there yet. Winterbourne’s Coach House gallery has changing exhibitions; last week it was university staff research, this week bee inspired micro drawings with magnifying glasses for viewing. Clare is not back from Japan yet; can’t wait to hear about her time out there during the cherry blossom season.

Snow & Baked Potato Day 16

Wednesday 27th March

Still some snow on the ground; Winterbourne very quiet. Worked randomly all day in a single colour and by the end of the day was starting to see results.  Bitterly cold so I treated myself to a hot chocolate and baked potato in the cafe; chatted to Vicky from the university who had studied fine art and now wants to get back into it. Worked in blue- cerulean, cobalt and pthalo blue. Chatted to one couple from Hull who live on the coast and they said they rarely see snow up there. Blue blue blue. Also chatted to a bloke up from London visiting his mother, and a toddler – James – from Stirchley. 

Lanterns & Fringes Day 15

Thursday 21st March

It was a cold day and I forgot my hat & gloves. There were lots of visitors: from Canada, Japan and a couple up from Bedford to see the garden. Went to the lunchtime Magic Lantern Show which was fascinating with Cinderella, volcanoes, earthquakes, and mining all covered in glass slides with background music. Added further layers to my paintings intensifying the blues, greys and black; also added signature spots at the end: the artist fingerprint. Studied old family photos from the archives and drew from one of Nina and Evie sitting on the sands holding a toy sailing boat with a bucket & spade beside them with the dunes in the background. They both have severely cut fringes and are seated wearing near identical sailor dresses; Nina looking very serious and Evie looking wistful. Received positive feedback from visitors about my blue palette. Hurrah!