Take a Risk & Dare to Dream
Hello, do you like to dream? I do.
I was always told off in class for daydreaming.
Before the summer holidays I saw an open call, a request for 8 large bold colourful abstract paintings. I let myself flirt with the idea, thinking hell yeah, I’ve got 10, maybe even 20, and they’d be amazing. Except as soon as I made them, they were hurriedly rolled up and plonked into my canvas graveyard, in the corner of my dinning room come studio. Some I haven’t seen in 3 years. Now, it’s not that I’m embarrassed, far from it, maybe these are some of my best works (My winning Liberty Open Call painting is one of them after all.)
So what’s my problem? It’s easier to hide them and pretend they aren’t there. Why? Because I’m full of fear, I’ve no idea what to do with them, how to send them - how to…. anything with them. But now I’m facing my fear, my self barricaded terror barrier, and taking a deep breath, it can’t be that bad, what is the worst that can happen? And who knows, maybe now is their time to shine?
I applied anyway and enjoyed the idea, the thinking and seeing them together exhibited in the corner of my mind’s eye. It was just a bit of fun. I didn’t hear anything, for a while, until….. the unexpected happened - Yay I got the gig!
Yikes, now what?
Rainbow Tsunami, she’s 214cm x 152cm, & I just love how the sun shines through as it appears almost transparent - it doesn’t usually look like this, but I’m enjoying the change in the dance of colour and light.
This is my first intuitive painting, after a 3 year break from painting, it’s also my largest picture to date.
The line up, waiting for their wrap up.
This is where art and life, flow in and out of the other and my lesson here is when you are in a situation you think you can’t face because when you’ve created so many barriers, to confirm why you can’t , it might be that all that is needed is a little shift in your mindset, to make things happen.
I absolutely love painting big, seeing these out again confirms my yearning and excitement, it’s where my heart is - going large. These paintings back then were purely for me to escape and explore, to rekindle my passion for art after a 3 year break, to find my (new) creative voice. I continued to tell myself, they are too big - to sell, to buy, to pack, too to send.
Now I’m sitting proud, yes I made it, not only am I delighted to see this wonderfully curated group of my larger works together and they look fab, even better than I could dream, I’m just as proud to faced my fear and found a way.
It wasn’t all easy, but I did it and it wasn’t that bad. I got aluminium stretcher bars and frames custom made in the Netherlands, customs paperwork and payments all sorted. When I made the order it specifically said check on arrival. I waited two weeks, I didn’t want to open it, because I didn’t want to face it, because I had no idea how to put it together. When I finally did, two stretcher bars were damaged and two I had calculated incorrectly - how - I have no idea. I’m 4 stretcher frames down (No idea how to put them together) and my pictures are getting collected in a week, all I have, is 5 working days.
I got Covid and felt pretty rough, but I did get the frames, and everything turned out just right. Phew, and I couldn’t be happier.
If you are an artist, and are looking for aluminium stretcher frames I highly recommend Artel.eu Their product and service is excellent.
And here they are in situ, their temporary home to shine, until the beginning of next year.
If you are up in London, please do go and visit - they are on show :
Dates • 22nd September 2022 to mid January
Venue • 2 Gresham Street, London EC2V 7QP
Enquiries • Vanessa@vjb-arts.com, 07914 254 022,
Website : vjbarts.com
Studio Stories
In the Studio
I tried something different with a pair of canvas’ buffed together. Usually I dive straight in with chunky brushstrokes, this time I went freely with inks and pigments, allowing them to blur, blot and blend. I look forward to see where they take me.
Belated News, but nice to share.
As many of you know, I am an art tutor at ARTHOUSE Unlimited, a charity presenting artistic talents of adults living with complex neuro-diverse and physical support needs. Twice a year we have a stand at Top Draw, a trade show at Olympia, showing our goods to trade. This year was personally exciting for me, yes there are many fantastic new products, but mostly I was chuffed to see the positive affirmation artwork I have been working with my groups, pasted all over the wall and it looks amazing!!
So I don’t like heights or ladders, but I managed to stay up there most of the day.
This painting was born out of lockdown, when I was taking art and inclusion lessons from the studio, via zoom. The ideas grew as positive affirmations to help people feel better in lockdown, for ourselves, but also to share friendship and hope, kindness and well being to others. I love this painting, it definitely radiates that feel good factor
Gosh and here we are , back in the day I had to wear a visor to work, just after the table perplex table barriers came down. Thank goodness we have moved on from there.
Do have a look at their website, follow the link here, ARTHOUSE Unlimited
At last I’ve got back on the podcast but with a different direction introducing mini postcard episodes that are approx 15 mins long. It’s my artist journey and travels as an art seeker, a culture vulture and a BA - 20 something trolly dolly. It’s my diary edits, nostalgically looking back, 22- 20 years to the day.
Here’s my most recent episode and another, I recommend in it.
Click on the pictures to take you to the link to listen.
Episode 37 :
Today, I don’t seek art, instead I seek Johannesburg’s wild animals. I hug a cub and seek South Africa’s finest wild animals at The Pilenesberg National Park. So many years later realise how art engages with us, shouting it’s plight to save our endangered animals.
Art Mentioned :
Andy Warhol's Endangered Animals
Artworks For Change: Ethics, Excess, Extinction
The Endangered Species Mural Project by The Wildlife Federation , USA. I also talk about Skye Holland’s art and recommend a listen to her episode below.
Episode 20:
I have an Art 2 HeArt with Skye Holland, a London based contemporary artist with an entrepreneurial spirit, creatively cultivating a bridge between art and business. Above all else, as in the art she creates, Skye is passionate for wildlife conservation
In this episode our chat meanders between art and life. Of Passion and expression, learning and educating, ultimately making a difference, for wild animals close to extinction.
Skye also shares her stories about growing up as the only member of her family who could hear and her decade in South Africa.
Quote :
‘Art is a way of recognising oneself.’
Louise Bourgeois
Best Wishes
Sharing Love with HeArt
