Playpen
It is important to make time to experiment with materials and media, and ask myself
What happens if….?
The results can be hit and miss, but occasionally something interesting emerges. Techniques that work can be added to the repertoire for future projects. In fact the more I play, the more I realise that I should spend more time ‘playing’. This is when the art happens.
Harmony in my head
Tempura 40 x 40 cm
I used a plastic card and kitchen roll to pull a dark tempera pigment over a bright acrylic background and let the light shine through.
Water Tree
Tempera 25 x 18 cm
I painted with a hair dryer by blowing a dilute solution of tempera pigment across a wet surface.
Virgin River
Pastel and Pencil 50 x 30 cm
I attached torn strips of masking tape to my paper before drawing in pastel and pencil. Removing the strips revealed white areas and enhanced the movement and light of the drawing.
One Tree Hill
Watercolour 25 x 18 cm
I dappled a drawing board with watercolour wash, took a monoprint of the wet splodges and then painted with the watercolour wash directly onto the wet print.
Current Project
I am working on a prototype for a new kind of picture puzzle. Jigsaw pieces are located on the board by brass rods so that they can rotate around the rod. When they are aligned in different configurations, a series of slogans will be formed.
I plan to use a reclaimed table top as the game board and the pieces will be made of wood and painted to recreate the feel of children’s traditional ABC wooden blocks or the Bauhaus Bauspiel set.
The working title is ‘Revolutionary Poster’ and it will be playable in the Stewards Bar at West Dean College during June, July and August 2025.
‘Revolutionary Poster’ Wood, Brass Rods A2