Drawing from Nature

I am very happy to be the artist in residence at Celf o Gwmpas

Here I am, working from nature and pleased to demonstrate how to capture the movement of a waterfall.

 

Celf o Gwmpas Artist in Residence

Photograph  Rachel Dunlop

I have landed myself an excellent opportunity at the superb Celf o Gwmpass in Llandrindod Wells, Wales. In the past I have worked in the ‘care and concern’ sector, specifically as a support worker in mental health, and I remain full of admiration and respect for the work that people do, but I always felt that creativity was regarded a foreign language or something marginal.  Not so here.  It looks and sounds like an art centre, it walks like an art centre. It is an art centre, one with a vision, “..to achieve artistic innovation and increase recognition of the value in disability and inclusive arts practice” and a mission, “..to create the connections for equality, nurture creativity and support ambition in the arts”.

I am delighted to be facilitating a few workshops all about ‘getting it together and staying with it’, which is the perennial project for all artists, myself included. I have also been loaned a studio space (till November) which I sometimes share with Dean Warburton*.  We are getting on well and cope with each others studio noise, chemicals, sawdust and other studio habits. Its a bit like returning to college which I find deeply nostalgic.

I have begun a series of reliefs and I am already deeply immersed in their making and excited to see complete.

I am very grateful to everyone at Celf for this time, especially Shân Edwards director at Celf who brought me in, and made the place what it is, and Rachel Dunlop who paints, organises and seems to be on the front line of everyone’s demands, especially mine.

Unfinished, as yet untitled, painted wood

 

*9/7/2016  Addendum

Tragically Dean Warburton was killed in a motoring accident soon after I posted the text above. My heartfelt condolences to all his family and friends.

22/7/2016: