Geraint's Presentation of his work

Been thinking about Geraints presentation of his life’s work. He was a resident artist for a year in Banff, Canada a place I know well as I grew up not far from this area. Banff seems to of left a big impression on him as it is featured throughout his work.
Myself I couldn’t wait to get out of there as it was so isolated but as soon as I left I became obsessed with the area and its native people in the same way. It does have that haunting affect on a person. To quote a good friend from the same area ‘You know what they say about this place its like moss you can scrape it off, but it always grows back.’

Waffling

I understand the need to analyse everything but not to the extent of waffling for the sake of waffle about some obscure line of enquiry. Some are really interesting but most, I’m thinking lifes too short man. I don’t feel the need to dig that deep all the way to China to see why I’ve done what I’ve done. I just do it. I just feel instinctively to do something. I know that you will all now be screaming ‘BLASPHEMY’ and I know at the moment this is my handicap not being verbal enough just saying the bare necessity that I need to, to get a point across. I’m working on it……………………

Patterns

When I sit in a lecture trying to listen (50% hearing) I miss a lot reading lips and listening, when I write notes I look away so miss what’s being said. I sometimes lose the thread of the lecture. I’ve spent most of my life concentrating trying to listen so as a consequence not being verbal. So during lectures lately when I lose the thread I look at the text or what I’ve written and I see patterns. When I look at text I don’t see the words they glow and vibrates then patterns emerge so as I drift during some of these riveting lectures, I’ve been looking and getting into these patterns. Thought they would make a nice picture. Ya ok I know I’m going off the beaten track, nothing to do with my research, just feel like doing it. But this is how I work my mind wonders and random stimuli gives me ideas. And I usually put them aside so not going to anymore. Here they are, I really enjoyed doing these am putting them into the Interim show and calling them 'Remnants'.

Private Kimono Collection of Meriel Spalding

I was invite to view Meriel's collection of over 300 kimono. They range from early 19th century to the 1950s. What a privalege and she was such a lovely generous woman so knowledgable.

There is so much language in the dressing of Kimono. Lengths of sleeves, colours worn, decoration ect all tell the onlooker how old, if your married, single, what statous you are what time of year it is the list goes on.

obi

The inside of a man's kimono at a time when decoration was frowned upon so they decorated the the insides. This was hand painted.

Geisha Wig this was my favourite fantastic

This is a false obi for theatre

Family crests from a bridal kimono

below bridal kimono's

'THE MAN WITH A CAMERA'

Watched this film about the camera man in the early part of the 20th century. All about technique ect. The last projects ‘The Overlook’ and our own mashup have been a big realisation for me. The work that I do making costume and being a hairstylist is so labour intensive & time consuming. So doing all this new stuff with the computer & camera once I’ve got my head around the technology (getting there slowly) it’s so quick and easier to get a professional result. So not so time consuming and as I have so little time it seems to be an answer to my dilemma. In the film they were saying that the first projector camera was originally made with parts of the sewing machine. I find it profound that I’m going from costume making with the sewing machine and progressing into film & photography.

READING CLASS 'BEING AN ARTIST'

In our reading class this morning we were asked why we were here and wanting to be artists. This really stumped me as no one has ever asked me that before. I’ve never really thought of myself as an artist although my family & friends call me an artist. I’ve always been artistic from a young age, and indulged in it for pleasure & relaxation I never realised that you could make a proper living from it that seemed unattainable only for the exceptually talented & privileged.

So I’ve gone from job to job and the art has become a kind of by product of my work that I’ve chosen to do. I’ve ended up where I’ve never thought I could be, making a reasonable living from selling my talent. That’s everyone’s goal isn’t it. Except although I’m more or less there it doesn’t feel like Nirvana. I have more work then I can handle making things for other people realising their designs for them. And even when I make my own designs its for a commission so I still don’t own it. I have loads of ideas but no time to do them so they get shelved. Everyone seems to want my time so as a result I have none left for myself. Although I love what I do I no longer make art for pleasure or relaxation. I need to keep making & teaching it to finance my life but that part has completely taken over.

I guess I’m here to learn how to relax learn how to say no occasionally and do my art for me, I’m not bothered about recognition (it’s a nice feeling when it happens) only that I can finance my life so I can feed my compulsion, art.

Found this quote from Robert Sabastian Native Artist '........go with your instinct towards feelings that you have, don't paint for other people, don't paint for the dollar, paint for yourself. Others will realize the spirit in your painting, then you will survive.'

Costume Show

Some images from our costume show this friday. 2nd & 3rd Yr Interpretation & Design students.

Good turn out