Tuesday 21 May 2013

Where Has My Poetry Mojo Gone?


Hey everyone

As I blog this I’m in the middle of my exam revision for my OU module “Exploring Art and Visual Culture”. The module is broad art history 1100-present day, yep, a lot packed into nine months of part-time learning but I’ve kept going because I love the subject plus I’ve got fantastic support from my tutor, family and friends.

So, the other night I came across some of my old poetry. Yes, folks, this lady writes poetry too. I was most upset to discover I haven’t written one for TWO AND A HALF YEARS! I was gutted, like that part of my had been snuffed out. I sat there reeling, thinking “How did this happen?”

I have done creative writing as a hobby for ten years, I write short stories, have a few half finished novels and I still write when my studies allow but the poetry has severely slipped.

When I was in London recently, visiting all the galleries, I treated myself to three gorgeous Alice in Wonderland notebooks - one lined, squared and plain. Last night I cracked open the lined one and got scribbling thoughts and ideas for my poetry:
 
 
 
 
 

 

In October I’m going to be studying OU’s children’s literature module and I am So. Fricking. Excited! Once my up-and-coming exam is over I shall be delving into all those set books which include children’s poetry.

Oh, btw, here’s pics of the journal I was making for a friend’s daughter, it’s now in it’s home in Canada and the young lady loves it J
 
 
 
 


 
So, I’m hoping this summer should be one filled with beautiful words and gorgeous art.
 
Does poetry speak to you? Do you write it or have a favourite poet?
 
 
Happy arting everyone
 
xxx

Sunday 12 May 2013

Letting it all Through, Baby




Hey folks

Phew, where has the time gone? It seems ages since I’ve blogged but I’ve been checking in to read other people’s in-between finishing my last assignment. I have had time for my art too which is keeping me sane as I begin my revision for my exam in June.

I’m very happy to share my first finished canvas with you.




 
"Women of the Earth"
 
I'm delighted with how it turned out and it's set to hang in my purple bedroom after my hubby declared he loved the colours and how well it would fit in with the decor *beam*. I then realised how bare the walls are and had a vision of our room as a gallery...oh dear, if only my hubby knew :). 
 
 

 
 
I've also been busy with watercolours. The materials I constantly go back to are my pan watercolours, black Pitt pens and white gel pens. I also have certain shapes and marks I use all the time - spirals, dots, circles, wavy lines, leaves and anything that creates a sense of fluidity and movement. So, I’m concentrating on all these things until at least my exam is over to really get to grips with it all plus the materials are really convenient for my busy life!


 
"Let it all Through"
 
 
"Coming Full Circle"
 
 
I'm really happy with my progress with these two as I feel as if I've hit upon something. I love the lettering and as I like to use abstract shapes and patterns the words really bind it all together.
 
So, tomorrow I'm shopping for a watercolour journal.
 
What mediums/materails do you repeatedly return to?
 
 
Happy arting everyone!