"Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The
important thing is not to stop questioning." Albert Einstein
Normally I’m not one for making New Year Resolutions as they
usually involve the half-hearted renouncement of chocolate and mince pies, and earnest
vows to become fitter. Usually these good intentions are forgotten by the end of January .
So this year, I have decided instead to make a List of Plans and
Promises relating to my artwork which I hope will be easier to keep!
I’m already half way there but it’s been a long hard journey. First step was to complete 27 months of course work, which earned me
a Diploma with distinction. Then, last year I had to have six paintings accepted into the
annual exhibition to become an Associate member. Now I face the final challenge
of having five more paintings accepted into the SBA annual exhibition at Westminster. I’ve one more to paint and then it’s fingers crossed. If I don’t
get accepted, then I’ll be doing five more next year!
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| A lovely gift to keep me busy throughout the year. |
· Vellum- I
am really enjoying painting on vellum. It imbues such a softness to watercolours and is quite
thrilling to work on. My very kind parents gifted me with a lovely fat parcel
from Wiliam Cowley with a selection of vellums to play with. Although the
kelmscott is considered the crème de la crème for botanical artists, I really like the look
of the natural calfskin with it’s honey colour and natural flaws. Yes, working on different
vellums is definitely on the list!
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| A sketchbook page from last spring- I'm looking forward to doing more studies like this in 2014 |
Sketchbook
– I am really excited about a project which I hope will kick off in the
next few weeks… a Sketchbook Exchange which involves some very talented and
inspiring friends. We have all ordered our dinky little sketchbooks from
Stillman and Birn and the plan is to paint and post these sketchbooks to each
other throughout the year. I am looking forward to trying out
new ideas and getting creative!
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| The Gilder's Tools |
Gold- Ah,
the glitter of gold always catches my eye! I love illuminated manuscripts and
old books, and inspired by my recent trip to the Chester Beatty Library, have
decided that this year I am going to try to combine contemporary botanicals
with gold and silver leaf, perhaps on vellum. Fortunately my mother is a gilder
and so I have a very handy supply of materials (and an enthusiastic mum) on hand.
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| Off it goes! |
Travel- This year already is promising to be a great
one for travelling. One of my paintings is soon off to Spain for a very
exciting exhibition (more later!) and hopefully I will be going to visit it there. Then there
is the SBA exhibition in London in May. Shortly after that I’ll be heading back to
Egypt for the summer where I plan to do lots of painting.
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| Nothing beats painting by the pool! |
·
RHS work-
Last year my work was deemed "of an acceptable standard" by the RHS, and so I hope to start
work on a series of paintings of dates (Phoenix dactylifera) this summer. I love
the light in Egypt and am spoilt for choice with all the beautiful date trees
that grow there.
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| Painting dates in Egypt,2013 |
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Tie up
loose ends- I think every artist has a few unfinished pieces in their
studio and I’m no exception. I started this barn owl last year as a present for
my brother. It’s almost done, so I’ve no excuse!
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| Ben's barn owl, 2013 |
Explore
composition- I was really inspired by Thorntons’ The Temple of Flora and
loved how the artists painted backgrounds to complement the portrait of the
plant. Each painting told the story of the plant- the where, when and how it
grows in it’s habitat. It’s definitely something that I feel could be explored
more thoroughly. One of the sites that I have have bookmarked is KatherineTyrrell’s Making A Mark Resource page on Composition. There is a lot there to
read and take in, but it’s worth reading carefully.
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| Perhaps a painting of spring bulbs could have a wintry background such as this? 2013 |
·
And finally, I want to keep blogging, at least until the end of the year. It’s been very
helpful to me to verbalise my thoughts and plans. I usually have far too many
ideas and don’t always write them down, so this is a great way to get myself
organised. Let’s hope that I’ve more willpower than I do with chocolate!
What you'll find is that writing things down for your blogs helps you to organise your ideas better and think through more carefully what you're trying to. I often finish a blog post with a much better idea about how to tackle an issue or problem and it's certainly been one of the main reasons I keep blogging.
ReplyDeleteBlog posts also don't need to be long. Sometimes all you need to do is set out what the problem is that you're trying to address and all sorts of people will pop up with lots of useful suggestions. That's how I ended up buying my iMac! :)
Thanks Katherine. I've been really surprised to find how it does help to gather your thoughts. I'm very guilty of having far too many ideas but not always staying on track! Lets hope this plan of action works! Hopefully I'll get better at blogging too as I go along and not be so pleonastic! I think lots of people bought iMacs after your blogpost on the topic!
DeleteJust found your blog via Katherine's Facebook page. I love the concrete commitments you've made in this post. I've just laid out a plan for the year (which I have to say is not nearly as interesting to read as yours).
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading more of your posts in the coming year.
And I've just found yours, Vandy! You have some great plans for 2014- really interesting. Thanks for commenting!
Deletelots of lovely plans there shevaun: good luck with them all and enjoy the work!
ReplyDeleteThanks Erica. Hope to catch up with you and B soon- I owe you a coffee! :)
DeleteShevaun, You have 'hit the ground running' with your blog--you are an good writer and the artwork you post is fantastic! I look forward to reading more excellent posts in 2014, particularly about the dates series for RHS. You've inspired me to write a goals post too so I'll get right on it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Janene- you are so encouraging and I really appreciate you always commenting. I'll be checking your blog now to read your Big Plan!
DeleteShevaun,
ReplyDeleteyour project of "sourranding subject story" is really fascinating and I' sure you are going to actualize. I like the sketchbook exchange idea too. Yes, I feel like you: always news idea in my mind and try to bilt it. By reading artist posts, I always become to a "conscious"of new litle thing that were already spynning in my mind and so I've to be gratefull that artists do share their thought.TANTI CARI AUGURI to you and to all your followers CIAO
Thank you, Renata! I wish you also the very best in 2014!
DeleteNew projects and ideas are wonderful and inspiring. Your work is beautiful and I know you'll reach your goals and beyond in 2014.
ReplyDeleteJeanette, I am such a big fan of your work so your words really mean a lot to me! Thanks! You are a great role model to aspiring artists.
DeleteSo many plans and such a lot of joy in your ideas and ambitions. The blog really has blossomed into such a beautiful and inspiring place to visit, I am glad you will carry on and look forward to more insights. xx
ReplyDeleteLove reading your plans Shevaun, and I'm sure you'll see them all realised by the end of the year. Ben is going to be thrilled with his Barnowl, you've captured the esscence of Barnowl there!
ReplyDelete