I have been sketching madly around the town for some weeks though concentrating on specific areas that are the basis of my Sept 2010 Exhibition, only this evening however did I realise that despite being within the town an extraordinary amount much of the place had become forgotten; as I wandered I started to re-explore, even managing to find some things that I had not previously found.
around 8.30pm the light started to recede leaving me wonderfully enveloped in an even newer world than I had forgotten. I have often cometed upon a specific time of the day, be it dawn or dusk, where the very fabric of ones 3-dimensional world changes, when all but the boldest of collours become one of the same, reduced to a shade of...... nothing, no colour even rendering all but the most obvious of buildings and structures to a simple and 2 dimentional grey scale drawing, even pushing from site some of the ugliness that is a populated area, rubbish and minor detritis.
While on my wander and just enjoying where my feet take me, ( for this is how I wander, from one architectural or visual delight to another without realisation nor care of where I actually am geographically) on this occasion I found myself in what was in essence a 'tunnel' formed by the enveloping walls, only a little wider than a mans shoulders on either side, and, towering way above me, a comparatively long thin strip of dark blue sky that formed the roof, I felt for an instant as the tiny figure that I had used in a maquette that went towards a sculpture built during college ('maggie and barbara do lunch 2007) this path that I had found myself in led to a dead-end, what was most noticable however was the cleanliness and care that had been given to its very end, even the pipes that protruded from the walls about 5 feet up and 4 inches long, maybe eight in all, each had been painted nicely in the same blue colour as the church window frames, the base of the drain pipe even had a homemade box surrounding the drains entrance and, unusually for such a hidden place, no graffiti.
turning to leave I found a thermometer stuck on the window frame with a label requesting it be left alone, conservation? I was not sure but my curiosity warrented my finding out. on the way from this place I noticed a man standing at the far end, a further reminder of my sculpture, unwilling I am sure he was to come into such a narrow inexcapable place he waited for me.
Although his finding me was not surprising in as much as I was somewhere that you would not expect to find anyone at any time of the day, but with explanations easily made and accepted I was grateful for his finding me, he was a caretaker and was about to lock the gates, how embarrassing it would have been for me to have had to climb over a 4 foot gate that exits into the main street of town, not only was I saved me the embarrassment but I was also given a partial answer to my question regarding the thermometer, they were, he said, "all over the church", I asked a question and got the answer, at least a part of it, only time, retrospect or an unsatisfied ponderance will force a follow up visit for more information, for now I am satisfied it is for conservation or research, watch this space!
Tuesday, 25 August 2009
Saturday, 22 August 2009
coming soon, Live streming Studio Cam
It has been thankfully quite hectic since my last blog, completing two commissions and have earned a further four, My First Exhibition for 2010 is now confirmed for September October at Dickie Doodles, the now premier artists exhibition centre following the closure of the warehouse in the Brewery arts.
Currently I awaiting further information and the exhibition proposals ( dont you just hate having the red tape that goes with life) which are essential before either I can make final application, or, and more importantly, I have ticked all the boxes for the Gallery to accept me, The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle, my first out of county show.
For the Local Exhibiton I am creating a series of local scenes though not so much with the postcard images of landscapes and buildings but concentrating upon the fantastic light that filters and around the 'auld grey town', the light that, for me, transforms the grey into a myriad of almost magical colours.
For the Biscuit I entend to stick with this study though producing a more contemporary feel, still using the light but presenting it in a way not disimilar to Mondrians graphical works, unlike Mondrians love of the primary colours that dominated his later works I shall be concentrating upon Black white and grey, each with a hint of something that I see which transforms those colours.
The third exhibition is as yet awaiting too much to even make a greater note of at this time.
For those of you who have notices some strange black squares at the top of the page, one marked with play, these are in place for a future addition to the blog, if indeed the blog is able to take it, that being a live 24/7 streaming video into the studio to observe my workings, it is as yet not functioning whilst I await the arrival of someone, either to continue and finish what I have started or to inform me that it is all wrong and who will set it up properly for me.
I have had the most excellent feedback from a critic who, so enthralled with a single piece, is currently spreading the word around the local art buyers community to help with the September show and of course, earlier commissions.
Still no images for you all as, if you would remember my earlier note that, until more work is created I am keeping it a little under wraps,,,watch this space...
Until the next Blog,
Peace and Light to you all
andrew charles
Currently I awaiting further information and the exhibition proposals ( dont you just hate having the red tape that goes with life) which are essential before either I can make final application, or, and more importantly, I have ticked all the boxes for the Gallery to accept me, The Biscuit Factory in Newcastle, my first out of county show.
For the Local Exhibiton I am creating a series of local scenes though not so much with the postcard images of landscapes and buildings but concentrating upon the fantastic light that filters and around the 'auld grey town', the light that, for me, transforms the grey into a myriad of almost magical colours.
For the Biscuit I entend to stick with this study though producing a more contemporary feel, still using the light but presenting it in a way not disimilar to Mondrians graphical works, unlike Mondrians love of the primary colours that dominated his later works I shall be concentrating upon Black white and grey, each with a hint of something that I see which transforms those colours.
The third exhibition is as yet awaiting too much to even make a greater note of at this time.
For those of you who have notices some strange black squares at the top of the page, one marked with play, these are in place for a future addition to the blog, if indeed the blog is able to take it, that being a live 24/7 streaming video into the studio to observe my workings, it is as yet not functioning whilst I await the arrival of someone, either to continue and finish what I have started or to inform me that it is all wrong and who will set it up properly for me.
I have had the most excellent feedback from a critic who, so enthralled with a single piece, is currently spreading the word around the local art buyers community to help with the September show and of course, earlier commissions.
Still no images for you all as, if you would remember my earlier note that, until more work is created I am keeping it a little under wraps,,,watch this space...
Until the next Blog,
Peace and Light to you all
andrew charles
Thursday, 6 August 2009
No peace for the wicked, so they say.
This week has seen quite a surge in work having taken some time out for family affairs, now back and, (almost) in full flow the work continues
With the Royal British Legion Roadshow less than 60 days away I have been forced to cancel the two lectures that I was supposed to be giving through ill health, as a healthy replacement I am arranging an interview with the local press to cover the aspects of my lecture that I would have otherwise covered.
The Powerpoint presentation, the poster and the childrens workshop for the same show are coming along nicely and will be published nearer the date (sept 09)
I have recently finished the commission piece for the veteran in Northern Ireland with it only needing a glaze and postage, that completed there is no rest having gained two more commissions from local folk courtesy of some recent press coverage.
My earlier difficulties with the new medium, water based oil paints, are all but resolved now and my new series for future exhibitions are well underway, the paint giving me that which I had wanted to achieve, currently I have one local exhibition confirmed for Sept - Nov 2010 and one other which awaits a decision from the powers to be at the biscuit factory exhibition hall in Newcastle. I still need at least one other confirmation to fill my minimum quota for next year.
I have also embarked on an epic as far as projects are concerned; there are over 150 ginnels (connectings Lanes) and Yards ( former resedential and work areas off the main beaten track of the town), each with its own personal history and ambience that is quite palpable, sitting on the side of the street sketching the entrances to these areas brings a lot of personal satisfaction and attention, from tourist, local and artist alike, for sure this is a marvelous marketing experience, over the next three years I hope to compile a comprehensive file covering all aspects of these areas, in sketch, photograph and written experiences and acquired knowledge; it is not an exercise that has not been undertaken before, as one local put it, the ginnels have attracted artists for many years, they have been done before, my answer is simple, 'not by me!'
Other projects initiated include a short term public art instalation of which contact has already been established with the local council arts officer, more on this also later.
With the Royal British Legion Roadshow less than 60 days away I have been forced to cancel the two lectures that I was supposed to be giving through ill health, as a healthy replacement I am arranging an interview with the local press to cover the aspects of my lecture that I would have otherwise covered.
The Powerpoint presentation, the poster and the childrens workshop for the same show are coming along nicely and will be published nearer the date (sept 09)
I have recently finished the commission piece for the veteran in Northern Ireland with it only needing a glaze and postage, that completed there is no rest having gained two more commissions from local folk courtesy of some recent press coverage.
My earlier difficulties with the new medium, water based oil paints, are all but resolved now and my new series for future exhibitions are well underway, the paint giving me that which I had wanted to achieve, currently I have one local exhibition confirmed for Sept - Nov 2010 and one other which awaits a decision from the powers to be at the biscuit factory exhibition hall in Newcastle. I still need at least one other confirmation to fill my minimum quota for next year.
I have also embarked on an epic as far as projects are concerned; there are over 150 ginnels (connectings Lanes) and Yards ( former resedential and work areas off the main beaten track of the town), each with its own personal history and ambience that is quite palpable, sitting on the side of the street sketching the entrances to these areas brings a lot of personal satisfaction and attention, from tourist, local and artist alike, for sure this is a marvelous marketing experience, over the next three years I hope to compile a comprehensive file covering all aspects of these areas, in sketch, photograph and written experiences and acquired knowledge; it is not an exercise that has not been undertaken before, as one local put it, the ginnels have attracted artists for many years, they have been done before, my answer is simple, 'not by me!'
Yard 5, comprising the recently converted Time and Tide 
affordable accomodation and home of the artist and poet Tim Leeson and Oscar, the cat.
Other projects initiated include a short term public art instalation of which contact has already been established with the local council arts officer, more on this also later.
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