Wednesday 30 November 2011

Paintings for sale!

I've finally got round to updating my Etsy shop, meaning that work is for sale again!
The pieces I'm currently working on are not yet available, but some other work, most of which is from the past year, are now available for purchase. Everything is reasonably priced, and I ship internationally. Please do have a look.

Monday 28 November 2011

Pushing it

I realise that my work could be considered to be formulaic, as I have quite a systematical approach to the work I'm currently doing. I don't want things to get boring, or have all the pieces looking too similar, so I'm trying to push one element each time I work, meaning that each painting has more individuality.
In the piece I was working on last week, I used more embroidery than I have in others. In my next piece I'm thinking of adding a continuous line drawing made with wool, as an extra layer between the background and the painted face. Today I was painting a new work, and rather than layering one drawing and one block of text over the painted motif, I repeated each layer twice. Below is a photo of the piece so far. I still need to embroider the canvas to bring the face back through, as the marker pen layers dominate it.


That being said, I'm happy with this so far. I'm actually quite impressed with what I accomplished today. I really wasn't feeling in the mood, but one of my friends suggested that I just get started and see how it goes. I ended up finishing the bulk of the painting. The background was the only part I'd already done, and all that's left now is the embroidery layer.

Sunday 27 November 2011

Some recent images

I've been working hard, and haven't posted for a few weeks, so here are some images of what I've been doing.


Two continous line preparatory drawings


A preparatory painting for a piece I'll probably start on tomorrow


The fourth final painting I've completed. I was aiming to finish five by Christmas, and I've just about done that already. I'll get started on the sixth one tomorrow.

Sunday 6 November 2011

Writing in cut-ups

I've been researching more into cut-ups recently, and I've found some interesting quotations and statements on the subject. I'm really getting into it.
To help my research, and to experiment more with the cut-up process, I've written a much longer piece than I normally would, just for experimentation. The poetry I use in the paintings is quite short, for practical reasons, so this gave me a chance to try something a bit different. It started with two A4 pages, writing in a stream of consciousness about various different matters, including moving from Finland, and going back for a holiday. Therefore it definitely isn't as focussed as the poetry I write for the paintings are. I'm undecided on whether that's a good or bad thing.
I like how this one repeats words a lot - I like the rhythm of this and the way it flows. The results are always so unpredictable because it's completely random. Another thing I like about cut-ups generally, and which has really worked here, is how some phrases almost make sense, but not quite. The results can be quite beautiful. I'm thinking that another fun idea could be to make a cut-up, rewrite that on paper as a block of text, rather than in poetry format, then cut it up again, just to see what happens. Of course, that idea could go on and on forever. It could be a solution for my work when I'm not satisfied with the results and want to try again.Below is what I came up with after cutting it up.

For me.
Today at the moment.
Planning to visit again in February.
In the summer I was so money, but doing something more would make appreciate London more.
I'm I hope I won't be very sad when I leave, but I I don't have walking home from work one morning, it was
Expect I will be.
However, winter was when I realised how much I I wonder what I worry that it to pass.
Taking some time away certainly made me however, it was very new it was beautiful.
Reflected the weather.
Motivated to work because I want the time will be the same this time.
Many of so glad I stayed there.
Actually do things.
I was in a lot of pain.
I have people to spend time with in is that I can now enjoy it on my own terms.
I'm so pleased that I'm going to Finland it was horrible to leave the I shouldn't spend too much
Miserable.
I miss seeing the good time.
Terms of having work and something fulfilling to next month!
Dull since I came back to London.
It was when I was loved Turku and Finland.
I'm really excited about my holiday.
More of an effort to sort things out, and happy and having fun.
Countryside, with the trees and snow.
Snowpiles.
My friends have moved away now, and it's also I'll be leaving more and more, I miss Finland.
Older friends more often.
Winter looked was so unique.
I hope he maybe the difference after all, but then I do have a lot of work city and my friends last time.
No coming in and out of Turku.
Restrictions are placed on me anymore.
By quickly, but also that I have enough
The house, but it would be nice to see my weekends have been quite winter was dark, cold, and it's Sunday today.
Time to get on with all my work.
The summer was wonderful, but the way much of a social life at the moment.
Maybe I was happier in Finland.
This time hasn't gone so slowly I've started to really miss it.
I hope the time goes certainly not in I miss the maybe I'm more me a lot happier.
Once we get to February, most of this year will I should probably make depressing.
Manages to save enough money for that.
Be over, which is exciting.
I never thought I'd miss Finnish winter.
Do, but I made so many friends and had a Jaakko behind once again, although he is
Sunny and snowy, and I could see the traffic it will be like when I got back in December.
It's funny that my situation and emotions.

Thursday 3 November 2011

Two finished portraits!


Both acrylic, marker pen, and embroidery

Today I finished the second portrait, and I'm very happy with these two. Initially I was concerned about using yellow and orange over grey tones, but I really like the the texture coming from the grey. This also serves to emphasise the concept of layering in the work.
Looking at these portraits, I'm struck by the richness of them, coming from the multiple layers and different elements. I think the continuous line drawings on each canvas really contribute to the intensity to the work. I also notice how more experimental colours really affect the mood and style.
I'm really happy, have already painted the background for the next canvas, and I'm ready to get back on it tomorrow!