First Tutorial: Monday 30th October 2017 (9.30 am) with Jonathan Kearney
I benefitted hugely from this and felt very encouraged to do all that I had in mind (I have a lot in mind and did a lot of talking – too much to write here) and more. In particular, I see that it is important to be ambitious. My ideas were well received by Jonathan and I shall document them as soon as possible – the painting keeps calling me – it is in full swing now, the header image shows it on my table.
Jonathan emphasised the importance of keeping painting very much at the centre of my practice, which confirms my own conviction having put most of my life already to developing my own approach to painting, it has become more and more like an axis mundi. I am fully committed to it and always have been, it feels like a faith, I am not religious otherwise. Now with a large body of work already behind me, my perspective is very different from that of earlier years. I feel I am in control of my painting, which makes my choices much easier. Experience tells me over and over again that the way ahead is best mapped by being aware of that which is to be avoided – I have found that things do get clearer – I did not know that I would ever arrive at this point, I just kept going, never cutting my idea short. My approach has always been a very long-term one.
Now though, I am faced with a rather different context – I must look at what I can do in the immediate, short-term. Important too; I no longer have the luxury of so much time ahead, which I did have when I was younger.
The talk also confirmed that the layered historical context that is part of my biography is important. I have been reflecting on this in particular and have begun writing it up – many contexts have contributed to my own formation and evolution, and need to be documented – this I shall put down in writing on a page titled historical/biographical context – which I shall keep adding to until it is complete – it will be a very long page. This reflection is well overdue but my memory is clear, right back to my early years. Pertinent to the context of this MA – I can remember a time before computers and have seen an astonishing speed of change in all matters.
The tutorial reminded me that earlier this year I gave a comprehensive talk about my work at The Usher Gallery, and it was well received. I enjoyed explaining myself in response to audience questions because I have asked myself so many questions, intensely, as I have gone along.
I would like to do more talks and shall research possible venues – I must be confident in putting myself forward in this respect.
The painting is calling me to continue…
Tutorial (2nd) with Jonathan Kearney, 23/01/ 2018 (10.45 am)
Tutorial with Jonathan Kearney 3.45pm Thursday 31st Jan 2019:
A really thorough chat, Jonathan’s input helping me to clarify things for the Summer show. A lot was discussed. I know what I have to do now, so a matter of making sure I am ready in good time. The importance of the material nature of my painting medium was something that we discussed at length, with ideas as to how best to convey this alongside the paintings themselves and their timelines. Like everyone else I can’t be sure of what space I shall have at my disposal in the summer Show, so all must be scalable up or down. My research discussion coming up soon will be the chance to put things forward to my peers for their comments. The upcoming residency is another opportunity to gain clarity. I remember how last year the residency gave me a new sense of self-awareness. I can count on this year’s residency doing the same.
Tutorial with Jonathan Kearney 4.30pm Monday 20th May 2019:
This tutorial, successfully undertaken online away from the studio was a chance to have a good chat with Jonathan concerning the Summer show. Fortunately I was in a position to have filled out the Summer Show Planning 2019 list on our wiki page, so we had a good point of reference to work from. It was great to have Jonathan’s input as to variants of the basic idea of paintings shown with their timelines. The timelines are works in their own right needing careful consideration and planning all along. We also discussed the number of paintings to be included and potential space.
Things are clarifying nicely but still a lot of work to be completed in making the timeline animations/videos.
Though everything works back to the paintings the timelines would not have been possible without the digital tools deployed – as digital forms they stand alone as well as in juxtaposition with the paintings. I was able to explain where I am with my work as a whole, and projecting beyond the MA. The Summer show and the 2nd Symposium dovetail together nicely.
Online group tutorial lead by Kaori Homma by Skype on Thursday 13th June 2019 1-3.30pm:
My preparation for this group tutorial was in the form of a piece of this blog post with a piece of writing approx 500 words as a preliminary draft for the Critical Evaluation text (500 words) to be submitted in the near future as part of Unit 2 Assessment.
I realised during the tutorial that it would be more suitable to actually speak rather than ask people to link to and read the post described above but the fact that I had prepared the writing beforehand allowed me to be clear and to the point with respect to future ideas and plans. Kaori asked us to explain our background before the MA. I talked specifically about coming to the MA with a notion of painting as poetry and poetry as painting and that I had been able to follow through that point of departure with respect to my MA research and work development and future trajectory re ideas and plans artistic and otherwise.
Kaori was particularaly interested in what we would do afterward and I was able to be clear on that. Infact my clarity was commented on by Kaori, which was gratifying.
In addition, as it was a group tutorial, I was able to see how Arlette, Robin and Kehkashan have worked and how they now evaluate themselves as the MA reaches its conclusion. We each have such different trajectories and to hear of each other’s, all of us having undertaken the same course, is both enriching and energising.