The first month of the year has become a time to reflect on the previous year and a time to play freely. It's a time to use my sketchbook, make studies using my iPad, and be free without analysing too much what I’m doing, this is so liberating. I started working this way two years ago during the first year of my MA degree and it’s great for my practice because it allows me the freedom to develop my practice without too much self judgement.
This January I produced a range of postcard-size figurative studies and started to work with text. What I notice, now stepping back, is my use of colour has changed. Before, I used a lot of dark teal. Now lilac and red has entered my palette. As I step back and analyse the work, I smile. Times were changing; I’d met the perfect man and was finally in love, and it showed in my work. The text I used had a lyrical feel to them about love and my love of art.
Figure study, January 2023
In mid-January, I went to Maderia. what a beautiful place!! Since finishing my degree in July 2022 I have continued my practice intensely and so the winter sun was a welcome break. It gave me time to read and I’d been saving the perfect book for this moment; 'The Story of Art Without Men" by Katy Hessel. What a fab introduction to the history of women artists! I’ve studied women artists for a while now and it was refreshing to go through the ages and hear about the female perspective knowing that those women were just as breathtaking as the men.
For an exciting review of Katy’s book visit: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/sep/11/the-story-of-art-without-men-by-katy-hessel-review-putting-women-back-in-the-picture
Catching some winter sun, Calheta, Madeira, January 2023
I also read ‘The Meaning in the Making’ by Sean Tucker. I felt like I was underlining everything as I agree with and get excited by this book. It looks at why humans have a desire and need to make. It gave me the chance to consider why I personally make and why I make what I make.
Find out more: https://www.seantucker.photography/the-meaning-in-the-making
Whilst in Calheta, Madeira we found a contemporary art gallery on the hill overlooking our hotel. A short walk up, what felt like to me a mountain, and we were there admiring the beautiful views. There was a solo show of Madeira-born artist Lourdes de Castro, who died in January 2022 aged 91.
The figurative silhouette work reminded me of Toulouse Le-Trec’s graphic posters. I also loved the range of materials she used including perspex plastic to create solid transparent shapes.
Find out more: https://cultura.madeira.gov.pt/en/mudas-museum-of-contemporary-art
