I will confide in you that I am rubbish with guilt.. on all levels. Example: I feel guilty for not having made work for the last two weeks, but I’m balanced in my guilt because for four years previously I had not made one single painting. I think the guilt stems from the idea that one has to be “compelled” to draw or be creative every day to be an authentic Artist with a capital A. A la the great Picasso… but I m a big girl now creativity manifests in my life in so many ways. I must strive for more and will one day be creative each and every day for myself, I won’t be struck off the artist register for not hitting the mark in the run up to Christmas. I have felt slightly annoyed at myself and competitive.. It’s been difficult to fend of the idea of not having been at a craft fair over the festive season. So many of my friends and colleagues are working flat-out on that selling / marketplace strategy and having a blast and enjoying their success..
I have made a conscious decision to exhibit and sell work for gallery style spaces only. Whilst this may not seem either accessible or inclusive , it is Fine Art snobbery I willingly admit, too me it’s balanced by my teaching or tutoring which will be, inclusive and accessible that is.. and this my readers is my new game plan for 2017.
Tutoring and teaching will begin to fund my paintings. I had it that way in the UK and it worked for me. I could meet other artists, I enjoyed teaching a great deal, I could relax and let my own practice develop at my pace and it did. I left the UK on a high note in both careers and after a recent period of reflection I can see no reason why I can’t rebalance this relationship here. I won’t be full-time teaching but I am look into two avenues to teach evening classes hand indeed will also be holding some other free talks at various community venues… I need to tell you this so I will keep rolling and actually do this. My life being so full of the boys I do admit watching TV and fantastic films is such a great temptation after bedtime. I do often have to use the fact that “I told people” as a mental push.. because you would all be disappointed in me right? I’m being funny, it’s the guilt thing though, so to end this where I began .. I’m using my guilt to push me on. Not rocket science.
Little list of creative activities I did manage….because I’m too lazy to write it as a well composed self confessional:
1. Hand made monotype Christmas cards.
2. Made drawing machines with the kids
3. Decorated the house for Christmas…
4. Wrote a scheme of work for evening classes and submitted a proposal to get ball rolling with EMCS Society. No doubt it will be adapted but it’s a start.
List of creative dates I had with myself and others:
1: Attended a craft fair at he T’Souke nation and learned about indigenous bead making and weaving.
2. Saw Warhorse at Silver city in Tillicum. I highly recommend the play. So very poignant and moving. won’t review it. Just go see it.:-)
3. Attended a board meeting at Coast Collective in Colwood which was informative and allowed me to start moving forward with my workshop plans.
4. Met with a very driven enthusiastic chap in town about a great project called the Sooke Makerspace and I am considering taking on a roll in this..
6. Looked at the work of lots of new contemporary artists on Saatchi website..
7. Read a great many cool articles about art and architecture via the dreadful book of faces…
8.Took a walk with a budding photographer friend and discussed our “balance”whilst enjoying quite a dramatic windy squall.
9. Made a marvelous classic Christmas cake and fed it with brandy.
Things I wish I had done…and will!
1.Been to a gallery.. a collection or exhibition, rather than a gift shop gallery.. missing London’s cultural wealth.
2. Made a stretcher or two for a large canvas.
3. Made a lino cut print.
4. Seen the ocean every day.. made a start on bike walks with the lads but just couldn’t fit it in every day.
…….
During this period I haven’t managed to read much. Missing it actually. Online Christmas shopping has taken over.
So I’ll write again next week. And let you know what I have done visually and if I have managed to get into my romantic space, escape and swim into my head. Going to head there now.
Question: (because this little log should be engaging some, if not all its readers in a conversation)..
Have you ever noticed cycles in your life that little bit too late?
Bye for now. Thank-you for reading.
xx K
Kate Barton 