Last Autumn I was invited to get involved in an art swap with a small group of other artists connected to the OCA (Open College of the Arts) It felt like a good opportunity to
be in touch with old, and new student friends, even though I'm no longer officially a student. It also offered the refreshing opportunity to
create small, spontaneous pieces, totally different to the
commissioned paintings I mostly make.
Each of us was to put forward a group of 5 random words to inspire a postcard sized piece of artwork. We were instructed not to look at our given words until ready to do the work, so that
inspiration would be immediate, and not over-thought. I might have
cheated, if I hadn't been too busy at the time. So the words were relegated
to the 'I'll get around to that later' place on my laptop. Then,
when for various reasons the timing for the process was extended to
the New Year, it seemed like I had all the time in the world, and
promptly forgot all about about it.
This week, when Ange
finally sent the DEADLINE APPROACHING! style email, I was up to my eyes in
paid work, finishing a couple of portrait commissions with a queue of others waiting.
After 30 seconds of panic, I realized a little time
off for good behavior was just what I needed. I make three
categories of art; paid work, experimental/learning art and just
play.
Playtime began with a
cursory look at each set of words. I deliberately didn't over
analyze and merely expressed the first reaction to how the words made me feel. It seemed most of the word-sets had notions in common with each other. I
decided to work on 4 of the pieces together, using the same large
piece of paper as a support to collage onto.
Media used; torn painted and
drawn papers from my stash, drawn/painted into using acrylic
paint, inks, graphite, soft pastel and oil pastel. After some interesting things started to happen, I made a postcard
sized aperture in a piece of white A4 paper, providing a template to
isolate the compositions I wanted to develop. Further mark making
followed. After cutting out the small abstract compositions, the
remains of the large partly developed support has been added to my
stash for the next time I want to play.
One set of words
resonated differently to the others; a cry from the heart. And this I worked separately. I hope
the art swap wasn't too stressful for this collaborator and that she has as much fun as I did in the end.
It’s
weighing on my mind.
Collaboration:
Ingrid & Bee
|
Fly away on gossamer
wings.
Collaboration:
Alison & Bee
|
Iron ore vein Dark
Dangerous
Collaboration: Mark &
Bee
|
Whispering halfpenny
water
runs aimlessly
Collaboration:
Ange & Bee
|
How to commission artwork by Bee Skelton.
Send Bee an email.
You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com
Send Bee an email.
You can reach me by email beeskelton@gmail.com or see more work in my Etsy Shop or website www.beeskelton.com
They look great
ReplyDeleteJulie xxxxxxxx
Thanks for looking and the comment Julie! Main thing, it was fun :)
ReplyDelete