A weekend of brightness

 

It was incredibly hard today to tear myself away from an absolutely stunning Cornish coast. I spent lovely time on four beaches....

Lamorna Cove

St Agnes Bay

Treyarnon Bay

Trebarwith Strand

Each one different. I don't normally talk to myself (!) but today I couldn't help exclaim and laugh out loud at the beauty of it all.

The air seemed particularly clean and bright.

I can't wait to start working with these pictures. In October I have an exhibition called 'Bright Edges', a response in part to the last few days...

 

Inspiration and Integrity

Whilst away on holiday I've been reflecting a bit on what it means as a working artist to have integrity.

It's said that a stick of rock is a good picture of what integrity looks like. The words or picture inside it runs true all the way through it. My thinking is that if we are going public with our work we need to keep a check on where our inspiration is coming from, how we are processing it, if what we are creating still reflects clearly that source. Then we need to push forward looking for new and better ways of working, firstly from within ourselves and then more widely from within the field we work in. Does what we do and how we do it have integrity?

When we are being creative for our own pleasure and enjoyment, where that inspiration comes from is less important than if we are making the work public or for sale. The filter our work passes through as we create it is what gives it it's integrity. What has played a part in our journey, the time and effort put in over the years, the inspiration we have sought, working out what matters to us... It all acts as a filter through which what we are creating passes. And I think you can tell when you peer closely at a piece of art whether it has a richness to it that tells of a deeper history than if it is just an idea that has simply been taken and emulated from another artist.

To be inspired by other artists is fantastically important. Inspiration is often a springboard to great things. But if the intention is to make that work public the creative process then has to pass through 'who we are' to mark it out as our own and to give it that heritage of substance and integrity born out of a journey.

Facebook. Blog. Twitter... For me, fortunate enough to make a living through selling my glass, these virtual but real ways of being 'out there' are still unfolding their secrets! I think that they are useful ways of being known about. I know that I have enjoyed discovering the communities that thrive in them. They are like bee hives, buzzing with happenings. And it totally depends on which hive you enter as to what community you get drawn into! One of the greatest things they offer is genuine encouragement... Like oxygen to the soul.

But they can be risky too... I am aware that in such a public open space inspiring others can actually lead to undisguised simulation. I guess that is not surprising, but it is hard to swallow. I have had many conversations with artists who have experienced this. In the end, they bite the bullet and move on. So back to my original thought, does what I do and how I do it have integrity? My aim is to keep on asking myself that question. After all, without a heritage of substance and integrity, an artists work will become weak and lose its heart. In the end, integrity must win. Surely?

And so... Here are some pictures of work I've made over the years...from way back when I was 17 to last week! Kind of reminding myself of my own journey.

And I'm wondering what you are thinking about all this 'integrity' talk?

 

 

Travels in my studio

It's good to have a nose around someone's studio... I had a close look in the dusty corners of mine this morning! And it reminded me of lots of different times and places...

The apron Kelvin bought me in London a few years ago.

Numerous pebbles and shells from numerous beaches.

The first few oil paintings I did quite a few years ago.

My boys. Their friends. On the beach.

A leaf from Venice.

A mini sundress I made for fun.

Buttons I've collected, kept in a cup from a junk shop.

Some dried heather and a pheasant feather.

An older me.

I like the idea of having a 'beautiful corner'...or two.

 

From Sketchbook to Glass...

I thought I'd share some of the inspiration that's collected over the years in sketchbooks made on visits to the sea. I think most of these have bubbled up when on holiday in St Ives or North Cornwall.

The exhibition at The New Craftsman in St Ives this summer is a collection of paintings made in glass all inspired by time on this lovely, quirky little town's beaches. It's called the Sounding Sea, a line from a poem by George Curtis, 'O listen to the sounding sea...'.

For me the sea shore is somewhere to watch, listen, reflect... A 'thin place', where its possible to gain perspective on life. It's a beautiful place, but powerful too. Whether its a busy summers day or a cold, lonely place, it always restores.

Back in my urban space, faced with a blank glass canvas, my hope is that I bring to life some of those responses again, in the intriguing alchemy that is glass fusing.

 

7 o'clock at the studio window...

A few pictures here of the lovely light at my window in the evening. Can't help playing with effects... There's a kind of 1970s feel going on...

Now I understand why window boxes exist.

 

Inspired....

Well, that was an exciting few days! The little glass piece on the last post has found itself a new home. All the amazing comments and shares has made me realise again how much the sea means to folks. And that inspires me to keep working away, sharing and talking with other like minded sea fanatics!

Have a great day all...

A miniature wave for you...

I made this the other day, it's 8 x 9 cms and mounted on a slightly larger white block. It's painted with glass powders and fused in the kiln.

I hope I will never tire of watching, drawing and painting waves. They remind me of my humanity and inspire me to look for something more...

Capturing them in glass goes a little way towards distilling that moment by the shoreline, when a sense of 'all will be well' descends.

If you would like the chance to own this little picture then just leave a comment here or share on facebook. I'll pick a Winner on Saturday.

Xx