BACK TO BASE.

Perfect Balance.

(10)

The fourth module of the `foundation` of all things with Susan gave us an interesting mix of title possibilities to work on.  My thoughts drifted among Yin Yang, Sands of time, Eagle eye, Artemisia Gentileschi and Far from the Madding Crowd.  

The process was; choose and explore the subjects of interest and then explain in the following class why you had chosen the one to work with.  I decided on Yin Yang as the philosophical substance of this interested me and I thought I may be liberated, despite the colour limitation of the symbol.  Symbolism has always interested me and I learned so much from further investigation.  This was the point of  the exercise I think - further learning.  It is quite addictive.

To aid in understanding the properties belonging to each side of the symbol I show the following table:

                      YIN                                                YANG

               

                       Dark                                                                          Light
                       Matter                                                                       Spirit
                       Earth                                                                          Sky
                       FEMALE                                                                   MALE
                       Passive                                                                       Active
                       Tiger                                                                           Dragon
                       Down                                                                           Up
                       North                                                                           South
                       Water                                                                          Fire
                       Winter                                                                         Summer
                       Shade                                                                          Sunlight
                       Receptive                                                                   Creative



     

This is some of my sketchbook work 
                                                                      











It was clear I was not making progress apart from absorbing the philosophy - the balance didn`t seem to work.  I decided to try some sculpture, using air dry clay (at that time the only clay available to me).  This was liberating. 

The formation of the symbol is not just plucked out of thin air it is a real encounter of a study.  When observing the cycle of the sun the Chinese used a pole 8 feet long, posted at right angles to the ground and recorded positions of the shadows. They then found the length of a year is approx 365.25 days.  They noted the seasonal changes using the constellation Dipper.  The direction of sunrise, the direction of sunset etc.  They were so clever eh?

According to the Chinese - Cosmic `chi` or Qi, exists inside the body of someone who is always happy.  ( I think thats me).

My final piece was taking shape - lots of work but worth it.
I decided on a mosaic in the shape of a circle and divided as the symbol of Yin Yang.  I loved doing this piece. Two sided of course and suspended in a frame decorated with dragons.

I still display it in my dining room.

Remember :
                   " Philosophy is the art which teaches us how to live"
                                                                                      Montaigne.


Until next time, always be chi-ful!

                                             ...............

`Doldrums`

Static -  (but not)!

(9)

I would love to say I had made lots of progress since my last blog - but you would know thats not true or I would have been on here before now - spilling the beans eh?

It is not that I haven't done anything - ideas abound as usual, but the forming or putting together has been difficult.  The weather has been cold, the materials are not to hand, the technical help has not been available are just some of `the excuses` I could use and I wouldn't be lying.  Still slow but sure comes to mind.

Three entries have been submitted to The Ferens - so that is the next hurdle approaching.  It is so difficult to access the gallery if you have no info for parking!  We went round and round and finally parking in the street set off pedestrian to unload our stuff.
Sitting in cafe we see the Princes Quay!! IF ONLY WE HAD KNOWN.  Not to worry - go with the flow and hope for acceptance.
The booking in rooms were teeming with art works of all sizes and mediums - it will be an achievement just to get in the next stage.
Good luck to everyone - these galleries must be supported.

My friend Sheila the glass artist has been kind enough to fire a load of ceramic work for me - so generous ;

These are porcelain 
and quite fine - the bottom pic is one I have created with a loose bottom!
I also made some sculptural pieces - unfortunately the big one is loose at the join - maybe it will seal with the glaze -worth a try.

Presently I am working on two hands - adult and child form direct in clay - its a challenge.  I`ll fire them before I display.  Ceramic classes start again on Thursday 27th January.  No frivolity this time - will work with the slab building sculptures.  My book turned out really well - and the loose pages also - this is worth exploring I think.

Watching Italy Unpacked - did you see those sculptural pieces in that programme - download it NOW if you didnt - so inspiring.

I will return to my foundation progress in my next blog ;

Keep producing and progressing..............


                                                  ......

Infinite Possibilities!...........

`Infiniteidea`
( ? )


This is an artist led project - started in Bolton with Jane Orange - it is inspired and directed by Diaspora.

The initial piece was built and displayed as a solo piece in a Bolton Centre shop window and was an eye catching piece and very intriguing to the passer-by.  

Jane Orange assigned twelve artists to answer to this piece and then subsequently they were to assign another artist to respond to their art work.

Detail and progression.

The original idea or should I say `infiniteidea` was created using eggs.

I was one of the artists chosen and the progression of my work has been slow because I wanted to use ceramic eggs and the time relation to formation and firing can be relative to waiting!!!  But I have now finished the work which is sculptural.  My answer became directly attached to ancestry and dispersion of peoples within families, but always still having links to original roots.

I will now pass this on to my choice of responsive artist - and we will see where this will go...........

Sorry for the blip at the top of page - not sure what number blog this is!               

However, this will be put right soon eh?

HAPPY 2014 EVERYONE. 

(Maybe we should start a New Year Blog?)

                                                   .......