I’ve committed to making work for three exhibitions in the
next few months.
Number one is the Liverpool Book Fair. This will be a
collaborative project with the North West Artists Books Group on the theme of Magellan’s voyage. It is very much in the research/planning stage so nothing
visually interesting to show yet.
Work for the other two is progressing slowly, but it is
progressing
The theme for exhibition number two is to respond to the
work of one or more of six women artists: Berthe Morrissot, Mary Cassatt, Paula
Modersohn Becker, Gabriele Munter, Laura Knight and Gwen John.
I initially thought of Laura Knight and her images of backstage
at the theatre productions. So I took my sketchbook and camera to our rehearsal
for Maskerade (Terry Pratchett meets Phantom of the Opera). Whilst I was there
I was struck by one of our members reading on her phone. Her pose reminded me
of Cassatt’s painting ‘Lydia reading’. One photo later and I’ve changed
direction.
It has taken a few goes to bite the plate but here is the
proof from the third plate.
The challenge is how to add her bright green and neon pink
hair (which was the main reason the image appealed in the first place)
And the theme for number three is ‘Rural’. I don’t do
landscape (not without buildings) and I certainly can’t do animals. I was a bit
stuck but inspiration came with Mackenzie Crook’s version of Worzel Gummidge.
I’ve gone back to the original book by Barbara Euphan Todd
and I’m starting with scarecrows and seeing where it leads.
The title of this preliminary research book came from the story where Worzel is explaining that he was never a child. “I didn’t begin: I was put
together in a mortal hurry. ‘Tis the same with all of us. We stays the size we’re
made: and we’re made to fit our clothes.”
