Muse Me

What could be more lovely than a delicate row of autumn leaves slowly swaying in the soft breeze?

I had a fantastic day yesterday at McLarens Fall where the 1st "muse me" event was held as part of the annual "Sustainable Backyards" month run by the council. 'Muse Me' was about artists making art from the immediate environment while being accompanied by musicians. It was a wonderful open air event and I can't wait till next years (which I will be participating in... wahoo!) To see all the artworks and read about the event click here and you will be taken to my other blog. I am going to post a few of my favorites in greater detail here starting with this leaf work.

New painting/old painting

No you're not having an episode of dae-ja-vue, this is the Tuscany painting that I did and hated and refused to finish painting. Hate is a strong word, maybe a bit strong but I took a knock in confidence with this painting. I didn't paint for quite a while after this one, I even considered throwing in the towell, opps I mean- brushes! I came very close.

But as you have seen I couldn't quite do it. I'm not sure where I am going with this painting yet. I need to better define the hills but where I paint is cold, the paint dosn't like it much and neither do I. I am strangely good with that though. Not having a deadline means I don't have to paint if I don't want to. Not having any idea where I am going means I don't know if I have made a mistake. It's liberating and I love it. I'm thinking trees...maybe some leaves, maybe a flax bush. Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week. There's joy not fear in not knowing or caring what comes next or when 'next' is. I will be as suprised as anyone to see the end result of my mysterious painting...and very pleased to see the end of Tuscany!!

Metaphorically speaking

Sketch from work book, new addition to the series below. Note to self- next time paint the sky first!

Well I gave every-ones feedback some thought andS decided that the main confusing factor in my last efforts at illustrating my idea was the closed hand. You are a very positive group of viewers! Most people saw the hand as a sign of victory and achievement. I saw it as a sign of domination. Not sure what that says about me as I am not usually pessimistic!
Anyway..I decided that the hand shape was the problem and after playing around for a while I came up with this sketched version.
I have tried to show the hand in an abstract form emerging unscathed from the icebergs...more powerful than the ice. The hand of course is my metaphorical symbol to represent human activity causing damage to the environment (in this case it is climate change.)
I let the line of the icebergs fade away to try and show that they are weakened and melting unlike the hand which is solid and strong. Personally when I keep in mind the feedback you lovely people gave me I think this is a better version and with work it may be a successful illustration. The ice effect is worth working on too. Again... I welcome your honest feedback. I promise not to cry all over my laptop if you disagree!

Thank you!

Another sketch, not a finished artwork from my work book. Same series below.

Thank you to everyone who left a comment and told me their interpretation of the illustration.
Amazing how different ways it could be seen. I did notice that most of you are 'glass half full' sorts of people!
An image out of context as this one was (or in no context at all!) is a lot different to one already published in a specific type of magazine or with a fancy heading. They are the body language so to speak of the picture.

If I had added 2 words to the title: climate change it would have no doubt led to different interpretations because we are usually influenced by the title. Ditto colours. I am fascinated at how publishers can direct out thoughts and responses to their products through imagery, words and colour!

My illustration is a about the human impact we are having on the ice caps. The loss of them through the global warming caused by humans. The hand represents the human race and I tried to show that the ice was melting by the lack of line at the base of the hand. I have been playing around with paint to try and create at ice look (not shown) and I think I have nearly got it...It would change the same basic image quite drastically yet in reality the 'bones' are exactly what you see above.
So now that you have been given all that information do you think it is a good illustration? I'm open to suggestions! Thank you for your thoughts, they are really appreciated!

International Blog Action Day

Well, you know it is the year 2007 when 'cyber activisim' is a well recognised and utilised tool! Greenpeace is just one of the well known organisations that employ it. An artists who's blog I subscribe to http://www.papierscolles.blogspot.com/ recently sent out an email about "International Blog Action Day" on October 15 2007. The idea is for all bloggers to create a piece of art that reflects your personal environmental concerns and post it on your blog on that day. Not only that artists have the opportunity to have their work included in an on line exhibition at Maraya Galleries http://www.marayagalleries.com/
Why not take part? You can feel good because you spent time creating and you can feel good because you did something to promote an environmental cause you're passionate about!
Simply posting a piece if art is not enough...don't forget to spread the word!!
Check back here October 15 to see my "blog action day' art work :) or better yet subscribe and have it sent to you for free!