Just finished this short promotional video to post on YouTube and other social media platforms, since this was posted yesterday, I have had a lot of positive comments and it has resulted in improved visitor numbers to the site. I will begin to update the site to try and improve a few sections but I think it is working as I hoped, the contact page works and I’ve been recieving questions and positive feedback.
New website now online
Latest video from the Coast series of abandoned artwork. The website has now gone live but still needs a few updates and changes. Testing all the links and adding photo captions. There will be a shop section added later and I will be adding more content.
The new website is looking almost finished, just need to work on the text and add photographs. I’m impressed so far with the Squarespace platform, it has improved options for gallery displays and ease of connectivity with social media links. Not had too many problems with setting up the pages and transfer of my domain and hope to have the site online soon.
This small monoprint from the "Coast" series was inspired by an old fishing float with rope attached, I like the abstract shapes and random textures found along the shore, I incorporate many of these into the small monoprints, I could not think of a more suitable place to leave this artwork.
Very tricky filming conditions, heavy mud made it difficult to reach the ships, I couldn't record any sound because of building work nearby so all the atmospheric sounds (including the muddy foot steps) are sound effects, which I think work quite well.
This is one of my favourite locations to take photographs, it's very atmospheric and the sight of these old vessels is very thought provoking, it's sad to think these were once the hardworking fishing trawlers that have seen many voyages and sailed through the hardest conditions imaginable, this silent marshland their final resting place. I always think about the people that built them, those who sailed on them and all those anxious families waiting for their safe return.
I'm starting to work on a few of these new demo videos filmed in HD with no edits or music, just a single close up view of a work in progress, shown from start to finish, using low cost or recycled materials.
Although this small monoprint is an abstract composition, I was inspired by the coastal landscape and feel that in some way this has found it's way into my work, I will continue to explore this further using this simple process.
Working with recycled materials (plastic bag and cardboard) I have used oil paint (Prussian Blue, Vandyke Brown) spread thinly onto a transfer sheet made from an old plastic bag and a variety of mark making implements, blunt pencil, biro, Q tips etc to transfer the oil paint onto the work surface (220gsm smooth card) 8" x 6" torn paper (newspaper is OK) is then used to mask areas of the composition and create shapes that form the light areas of the artwork, it is advisable not to apply too much paint and keep these interesting forms that draw the eye into the composition.
It is important to begin this process with a very thin first layer of paint and work towards adding darker tones, remember not to overwork the composition as it is very easy to destroy the quality of the marks. Don't worry to much about the final composition, enjoy making a few interesting marks and texture, practice the technique and good results will follow.