week ending 17 Aug 2011 work update

It seems the first time in an age since 'normal time' and I are in sync, for the first timein what seems an age, work is steady and progressive.

I am working on a couple of projects at the moment, aside packing and addressing 2 paintings New Zealand bound, the Pollock project has found its way to a new way of painting for me in a style that I am at total comfort with, my goal now is to move up in size, currently I have moved from 12" x 15"  upto a canvas slightly larger, the aim being to monitor more closely the process so that I can work at 6' x 4' or larger.

The first of a series of 6 religious oil paint works is fast approaching a start, I am working on a full size sketch in chalk pastel bringing me, at the end of the process, 12 full size works, 6 in pastel and 6 in oils, it will be interesting to see how the change of medium will relate to the final work.

My tour of duty with the Royal British Legion saw me in their offices this morning while assisting with the design of a float for the Torchlight Carnival next month, a float for those who dont know is an open back truck decked out with individual themes as it parades through the town, I'm not sure what they call that elsewhere in the world but there you go; my task in all of this is to produce a 6'x 4' number '' 90 '' made from chicken wire so that poppies can be interlaced in the holes, once finished this will hang on the back with the idea being to celebration of the 90th anniversary of the charity, 90 years of support to military veterans a true honour to be a part of.

I have two paintings hanging in shop windows next month, one as part of the towns annual art trail where work from local artists is displayed in a variety of shop windows throughout the town the other from a supporter of the local arts who has just started to hang art in his premises windows.

The Castle Project is on a slow wind down between now and November giving a welcome break from trips up and down the castle hill, a trek hindered by advancing years and an overindulgence in tobacco.  In November it is the Nationwide Remembrance Period and any work that is done toward the castle project, at least as far as the fundraising is concerned, could so easily confuse with imaginings that the castle project fund raising and the Royal British Legion are one of the same charity.

That is about it for the end of this week, he writes knowing full well that it is only Wednesday however I did suggest at the start that I was in sync with 'time', not to be confused with ' day '!
take care speak soon
andrew

Week starting 4 August 2011

Week starting 4 August 2011

Outside the studio there is a warm and refreshing drizzle, the stones and plants, rather than to be uniformly wet from rainfall are illuminated by the humidity the moisture in the air has been 

absorbed and now take on a soft dappled colour, 

where dark more has been absorbed, where the 

surface is less spongy, light and shade. The blackbird continues to chatter at my window as he had 

done for around 5 coconut shells filled with suet, not only feeding himself but now taking some down to its youngster on the flagstones, I have no 

doubt that the young bird will also become a 

regular visitor.
Although it is yet to be announced via the media, yesterday was the first indication that the nights are drawing in, there was something slightly 

different about the ambient light that marked the separation from summer months to autumn.  The 

media reports are always weeks late regardless of the change of seasons, farmers 

probably see it earlier than I for sure.  
In the studio, few things have not been as constant as the change over of seasons, I change styles, genres and pallette more often than I rise from my bed, I change supports, from canvas to calico, from cotton to the lining from wedding dresses, modelling with plasticine while imagining that same small piece as a 5 ton lump of sandstone, of metal, wire wood or clay; the material as dependant intirely upon 
what is being moulded by my hand and imagination; life has been one experiment 

after another, practice this that and everything yet, each with a single purpose, learning and the feelings of the creation of something new, “for me”; but, 

enjoyment being my reward.
I start this week somewhat differently however, hence the blog title suggesting 

the start of a week rather than the customary “ week ending.....”
This week heralds an emotion I have not felt at any great depth since my Brewery Arts Show in Kendal back in 2008, a period of great and sustained creativity, where the element of “purpose and goal” existed tho banished immediately afterwards 

while heading off to have a period of pure fun in creative pursuits, replacing 

commercialism with the joy of experimentation though always knowing that it would not last forever, this forever, it seems, has now come to an end as I embark on 3 large and very different styles of work but that feeling of purpose now 
accompanies my work.

I have no idea of the geographical destination of any these works because my 

destination is a personal one, it is one of integrity and commitment to my own 

artistic journey, I have practiced enough, I now have the tools I need to see me 

through the next 12 months or, perhaps, longer.
he first body of work is a deeply personal one and something that I have longed 
to complete, from as far back as 2000 – 2004, in the latter part of that period I decided that at that time I had neither the technical knowledge nor a deep enough faith to create the works in my head, from that point on the intent was abandoned knowing that one day it would become a reality.  

Although I shall not be sharing images of these works either on my Blog or on 
facebook until completion either of each work or perhaps even the series I will beposting regular 'sneak previews'in video format on facebook, I am having a little trouble with the Blogger video upload at the moment so until that is sorted I 
guess I will have to direct you there, Andrew Charles on facebook.

In addition the Pollock work continues, as does the 'elements series' 14 of which are now completed with two on their way to Australia curtesy of facebook.  

The Castle Project continues well however I have reached a point where I will haveto seek help to take the project to the next level( follow the links on this page for regular updates at Kendal Castle Poppy Bid on facebook)

Take care
andrew