Sense of Place - Natalie Dowse

The work selected for the Vickers Collection

2008-11-08T17:07:00.006Z

One of the conditions of the Jonathan Vickers Fine Art Award is that a percentage of the work produced goes into the Vickers Collection. The pieces that were selected were:

One in a Million - 2008 - Oil on canvas 125cm x 125cm

and

Heavens Above! - 2008 - Oil on canvas 150cm x 100cm

See the new Vickers website here: www.vickersartaward.co.uk/

Comments from Skimming the Surface

2008-11-08T17:01:00.001Z

Here are a few selected comments from the "Skimming the Surface" exhibition at Derby Art Gallery:

Fascinating talk and beautiful exhibition - an excellent use of your time in Derby. I especially love the iconic "One in a Million".
FW - Ireland

Most impressive. 'Three's a Crowd' is amusing, disturbing and thought provoking. Should be in the Tate Modern.
Tom, Reading

Don't like the 'lift' works but: Move effective and evocative than Richter (whom I always felt was overrated) or Tuymans. The 'trees', 'Constellation' and 'Million' are very effective. Brilliant work!
RD

Absolutely fantastic! Can relate it all very much to my own practice with photography - displacement, the uncanny, quick glances. RD

Very emotive and atmospheric - deserving of my stock 'art critic' phrases. Makes me feel uncomfortable but warm at the same time, a detached yet involved feeling that allows me to use conflicting description to avoid explaining what I mean but trusting that you as the artist and authority have the insight to understand.
'Fierce', Derby

It's lovely to view live creativity produced by someone I know. I'm very in love with 'Three's a Crowd' - quirky in composition but atmospheric it makes me curious of what has not been included in the canvas.
Gail, Derby

I really liked how you have used oils and brushes in the protraits. CCTV effects also give each portrait a ghostly effect as if the viewer is part of the machine that watches over us. I can relate similarities between the spoken word poem I wrote and performed and your paintings. I think there is a detached feeling for the viewer. In the portraits the machine has no feeling towards that which it sees, there is no colouring of emotion or memory. I think your paintings are very good as you have captured all I have mentioned above and more. Now, how do the paintings make me feel? I don't have enough pages in the book to put it down. JC

Painting which 'imitates' photography and film is futile and pointless (why not just look at the original forms). Also, isolating a 'moment' from a sequence is again rather pointless and contradictory, and inevitably 'second best' to the actual movement itself. However, interesting images and technically competent.
AN, Stafford

I loved the detail of the 'Heights of Abraham' and 'Heavens Above!'. 'Work in Progress' was understated and challenging. I loved the first three canvasses in 'Market Hall Corner'. They caught my imagination more than the last two.
PS, Belper, Derbyshire

Skimming the Surface at Buxton Dome

2008-10-05T18:54:00.004+01:00

Market Hall Corner:

Constellation:

Buxton Dome Exhibition

2008-09-26T11:18:00.004+01:00

A selection of my Vickers collection will be exhibited at the University of Derby's Buxton Dome from Wednesday 1st October until Sunday 19th October 2008.

Wirksworth Festival Workshops

2008-09-26T10:59:00.004+01:00

Last week I was back at the Parish Rooms in Wirksworth to deliver two days of workshops for school children aged 6-15. I worked once again with the students from Anthony Gell school who participated in the Vickers workshops last summer. Their work was also exhibited at the Parish Rooms throughout the festival.

Students from Anthony Gell:

Large drawings made with charcoal taped to very long sticks!

The Wirksworth Festival 2008

2008-09-09T13:50:00.008+01:00

Well this blog has now gone full circle - see the archive entry here (scroll down to 12th September 2007) featuring the Wirksworth Festival. The Caravan Gallery returned again this year and I was invited to exhibit in the Parish Rooms alongside artists Maggie Cullen and Michael Shaw. The weekend art and architecture trail was fantastic - with many people visiting despite the terrible weather conditions. The exhibition in the Parish Rooms continues until Sunday 21st September.

The Caravan Gallery returns to a great reception:

The exhibition at the Parish Rooms with Maggie Cullen's delicate and intimate sculptures and Mike Shaw's stunning inflatables alongside my paintings and drawings:

A rare break in the weather - I think this was the only convincing dry spell:

Wirksworth Festival featured in AN-Magazine

2008-08-29T19:15:00.005+01:00

AN-Feature - Sept 2008:

"Over 160 artists are showcasing work in Wirksworth Festival’s Art and Architecture Trail.

Last year, 7,000 visitors came to the Derbyshire market to view works in venues ranging from private homes, historic buildings, gardens, churches to shops and industrial workshops. The visual arts programme highlights new commissioned work by Mike Shaw, (AHRC Fellow at Loughborough University), Natalie Dowse (Derbyshire Community Foundation Vickers Fine Art Award winner 2007/08) and site-specific installation by Maggie Cullen, on view until 21 September at Parish Rooms Gallery.

Fourteen of the town’s shop windows will host the Art for Windows programme that includes specially-commissioned work by selected artists including work by Johanne Domnke Guyot and Kirsty Smith. John Tunley’s ‘Images from the Natural History Museum’ is showing Derby Museum and Art Gallery at the same time. The festival has also commissioned Maxine Hall to document the people of Wirksworth; using a 5x4 camera and natural light, sitters will take ownership of the chair and command of the lens.

In the Market Place, internationally-acclaimed Caravan Gallery returns with ‘Photographing the way we live today’, while sculptor Laura Bacon has created a new temporary sculpture in cable for the space. Willowbath Mill studios are open to the public, presenting ongoing projects, documented works and installations from ten artists and designers. The Makers’ Market at the Town Hall and Memorial Hall has doubled in size to showcase work by leading East Midlands designer makers, including jewellery, textiles, glassware, ceramics and woodwork. As part of a programme of support for young artists, new work from the universities of Derby and Staffordshire are on exhibition."

5-21 September 2008
www.wirksworthfestival.co.uk

Wirksworth Festival and Buxton

2008-08-11T21:05:00.002+01:00

I will be showing the work from 'Skimming the Surface' in the Parish Rooms at this year's Wirksworth Festival alongside Maggie Cullen and Michael Shaw. The Festival runs from 5th September to 21st September.

The work will also be shown at the University of Derby Dome in Buxton from 1st to 19th October 2008.

A scary picture from the Derby Telegraph

2008-08-02T15:58:00.002+01:00

Hmmm not one of my best - but still it's all part of the story.

Mapping Landscapes Exhibition

2008-07-30T18:38:00.005+01:00

Here's an image from the Mapping Landscapes exhibition. The culmination of the work produced during the four schools' workshops. A total of 73 canvases are on show until the 10th August at the Derby Museum and Art Gallery. To see more about the project and more images visit: www.mappinglandscapes.blogspot.com

Five questions for ...

2008-07-14T23:25:00.005+01:00

Five questions for... by Wayne Burrows (Metro 27.06.08) - Click here.

Your paintings often resemble photographs. What attracts you to these images?
I walk around shooting digital film and then select frames to paint at the studio, so the style is part of the process. I'm fascinated by the points where photography and painting blur into one another visually. One piece, Constellation, is a grid of anonymous faces I've glimpsed in crowds.

Doesn't the new work result from an award you received?
Yes, the Vickers Fine Art Award is given every two years, and offers a ten-month studio residency at the University of Derby to the winner. This show brings together the paintings I've made on the theme A Sense Of Place during my time here.

Did you choose the theme yourself?
The award specified it, but I only entered after I'd already spent time in Riga, Latvia, making paintings based on my awareness of being an outsider. I've used a similar methodology in Derby, looking at the city through a newcomer's eyes.

How do the animations fit in with the paintings?
They're based on digital film, so come from a similar process. The idea was that the people I've drawn are in Derby, but could also be anywhere in the world. I wanted to raise the question of what creates a local identity.

Did you come to any conclusions?
What you see in the pictures is sometimes unmistakeably a local landscape, but often it's harder to tell where they are, and I like that ambiguity.

I thought this was quite amusing! Did I really say all this?

Schools' Exhibition

2008-07-14T18:29:00.003+01:00

Today I've been hanging the schools' workshops exhibition 'Mapping Landscapes' . There's a preview tomorrow evening from 5.00pm - 6.30pm at Derby Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition continues until Sunday 10th August. Photographs to follow very soon.

Skimming the Surface featured in the Guardian Guide

2008-07-12T19:55:00.005+01:00

Today I'm featured in the weekend Guardian Guide - thank you Robert Clark :-)

"As a culmination of her Derby artist-in-residence stint, Natalie Dowse presents paintings and animations that reflect something of the awkward bemusement experienced by any first-time visitor to a typically nondescript shopping centre. Working from digital portraits, Dowse fleshes out the photographic glimpses through the more painstaking process of painting. The anonymous faces appear transfixed by the mundane quandary, their meticulously delineated features belying a tendency to become absorbed back into the crowd. Other works focus on the consumer treadmills of escalators and cable cars." RC

You can see it online here: www.guardian.co.uk

Gallery Talk

2008-07-09T18:23:00.006+01:00

Skimming the Surface gallery talk. Thursday 10th July 1pm - 2pm, Derby Museum and Art Gallery, The Strand, Derby.

Constellation (detail) Oil on canvas - 2007

Catalogue

2008-07-09T18:05:00.006+01:00

There is a 32 page colour catalogue to accompany the Skimming the Surface exhibition. Please email for further details.

Kindly sponsored and printed by Colourstream Litho, Derby.

Early at the Preview

2008-07-09T17:48:00.005+01:00

Here are some images from the private view (thanks Rachael). A big thank you to all the people that attended and offered their support. A busy night in the end with over 70 visitors.

Skimming the Surface Exhibition

2008-07-06T02:53:00.009+01:00

Skimming the surface opened a week ago and finally I have managed to take some images of the installed work. The Award has officially come to an end but I will be participating in a few more events - so watch this space.

Thank you for all those who attended the private view - especially those who travelled miles and miles and miles to get here in Friday traffic!

2008-07-06T02:47:00.000+01:00

Sinfin Community School

2008-07-06T02:41:00.008+01:00

The fourth school workshop was delivered on the 25th June (two days before my exhibition opening). The workshop was really successful and again all the students involved worked really hard. Their work is now on the Mapping Landscapes blogsite.

Sian Byrne - The Silk Mill, Derby

Three out of four...

2008-06-13T22:22:00.005+01:00

Today I ran a painting workshop at Noel Baker Community School, Derby. Once again some fantastic paintings now published on the Mapping Landscapes blog.

Hope Valley, Derbyshire - painting by Emma Houghton

Work in progress

2008-06-13T22:18:00.002+01:00

Work in progress from Philip Howard School, Glossop

Photographs: Liz Colley

Anthony Gell School, Wirksworth

2008-06-11T19:32:00.004+01:00

Painting by Melissa Kenny

It's been a busy week. This Monday (9th June) I visted the Anthony Gell School to deliver their painting workshop. It was a successful day although the weather was a little hot on Monday. You can see the work at www.mappinglandscapes.blogspot.com.

Yesterday three of the four schools came to visit the University of Derby degree shows and my studio. This gave the students a chance to see the many different departments in an Art & Design faculty and to see my work in the flesh.

Philip Howard RC School, Glossop Workshop

2008-06-04T13:35:00.011+01:00

Yesterday I delivered the first of four schools' workshops. There were 15 students involved and you can see their work published here: Mapping Landscapes or follow the link above. I felt it was a really successful day and the students have set some very high standards.

The aim was to deliver a one-day painting workshop relating to the Vickers Art Award theme 'Sense of Place', whereby each of the students involved produced a finished artwork ready for exhibition. To fit with the project brief the students were asked to pick a picture postcard from a location in Derbyshire. They were then asked to plot this location on a map to produce a group drawing as well as interpret their chosen image in a way that suited their subject matter through the exploration of the materials. Each student was provided with a box canvas and quality acrylic paints and brushes. All four schools' workshops are kindly sponsored by EDS.

Painting by Luke McDonnell:

One month left...

2008-06-02T16:50:00.003+01:00

With one month left on the project I am busily preparing myself for the school workshops (the first one's tomorrow - see link to blogsite above), the preparation of the catalogue and exhibition and the finishing touches to the work etc. Busy busy!

From shed 5 to shed 2...

2008-05-27T17:59:00.006+01:00

I've moved studios from shed 5...

to shed 2 for last last month of the project...

My new den:

Hmmm now I've got some sorting out to do!

Hmmm which way?

2008-05-19T12:09:00.001+01:00

A closer look at the Derby Hippodrome

2008-05-15T16:37:00.004+01:00

The QUAD update

2008-05-15T16:36:00.001+01:00

Out and about filming

2008-05-15T16:24:00.004+01:00

Today I've been out and about with John Felix to gather footage for a film he's putting together for the Vickers' archive and promotional material. Out enjoying the sunshine at last and revisiting some of the sites that have featured in my work.

An update at last!

2008-05-14T20:41:00.005+01:00

Here's the latest for all those who thought the blog had died. Things have been busy here in Derby as I near the completion of the project. Six weeks and two days to the show!

I've also been to many arts events across the region recently and there's a lot going on between Derby, Leicester and Nottingham. It is vibrant here in the East Midlands.

We're also benefiting from the sun here too and as proof here's another photo above the shed at 7.30pm today:

... and just for some added entertainment - here's a small sneaky at a section of one of my paintings:

40 minutes later...

2008-04-27T20:53:00.002+01:00

Dramatic skies over Derby

2008-04-27T20:30:00.004+01:00

It's been stormy over Derby - but at 8pm the sun broke through.

A year today

2008-04-25T20:37:00.003+01:00

It was a year to the day that I was interviewed for the Vickers Award. It was a nerve-racking trip to Derby. I remember that the weather was really lovely and sunny unlike today.

Eight months (nearly!)

2008-04-24T01:14:00.007+01:00

Above the sheds:

I'm nearly eight months into the project, with a further two to follow. The contracts for the exhibition at Derby Museum and Art Gallery have been signed and I am desperately trying to finish as much as possible before the work is photographed for the catalogue in a couple of weeks' time. The exhibition will run from 28th June to the 24th August. So it's all systems go at the moment.

Weekend trip to the Derbyshire Peaks

2008-04-20T20:25:00.004+01:00

Road trip to Liverpool

2008-04-12T20:41:00.020+01:00

I took a quick trip to Liverpool yesterday to see an art exhibition at Wolstenholme Square.

On a bench in Berlin

2008-04-03T19:16:00.006+01:00

This is one of Philip Turner's paintings (first year student). You can see his self-portrait at the side.

Sky above the shed

2008-04-02T18:11:00.004+01:00

5pm Today:

The machines took a very BIG bite!

2008-04-02T13:59:00.002+01:00

Derby Hippodrome

2008-04-01T20:48:00.013+01:00

This weekend the heart was ripped out of this building. Apparently the demolition work was carried out by contractors under the pretext of 'essential repairs'. Read more here

More information here: http://derbyhippodrome.co.uk/

Mam Tor, Peak District, Derbyshire

2008-04-01T20:47:00.004+01:00

From the top:

View Larger Map

Joseph Wright Centre, Derby

2008-03-29T20:00:00.001Z

Derby at night

2008-03-29T19:54:00.001Z

1960's trolley buses with full commentary!

2008-03-29T19:46:00.002Z

Pride Park

2008-03-29T19:37:00.003Z

Today I went to Pride Park to see Derby play Fulham. Result: 2-2. Unfortunately for Derby this means that they are now relegated from the Premiership. They actually deserved to win today - and had quite a few chances. I couldn't believe how quiet the Derby supporters were - but they have had a rough ride.

Big thanks to Mike, Carol and Nathan for the free ticket.

2008-03-29T19:26:00.001Z

2008-03-26T18:10:00.001Z

Back to work

2008-03-26T09:12:00.002Z

My new stretchers have just arrived. OMG I need to work fast. May need to burn the candle at both ends for a while.

Matlock Bath, Derbyshire

2008-03-26T09:11:00.000Z

Mighty cold, but I've missed the snow...

2008-03-23T23:37:00.004Z

Southsea, Portsmouth Saturday 22nd March

Berlin friends

2008-03-17T23:09:00.008Z

Organiser and tour guide the marvelous Denis O'Connor and Edith:

The lovely Johanna and Paul with hotdog:

Me and my shadow:

More of Berlin...

2008-03-17T22:29:00.007Z

Potsdamer Platz (the new centre of Berlin):

Neue Nationalgalerie (famous building designed by Mies van der Rohe):
Reichstag:

Hauptbanhof:

Interior of DZ Bank:

Hamburgerbanhof Gallery:

Kaiser-Wilhelm Gedachtniskirche:

Jewish Memorial:

Jewish Museum:

Trip to Berlin

2008-03-17T00:13:00.015Z

Just got back from a week's long stay in Berlin with the University and only just recovering from early mornings and very very late nights! This trip was fantastic and very inspiring thanks to the lovely Denis O'Connor working out a jam packed itinerary.

Fernsehturm Tower, Alexander Platz:

View from the rotating restaurant. It takes 30 minutes, I won the bet which paid for my lunch.

Sections of the Berlin Wall:

Berlinische Galerie:

The Brandenburg Gate from the East side:

US Army Checkpoint Charlie:

More Berlin images to follow soon.

My neighbourhood

2008-03-17T00:03:00.008Z

The days are gradually getting longer:

Since I arrived my local Post Office has closed down (now a bit burnt out as well):

My first impression of Derby

2008-03-16T23:45:00.004Z

I arrived at this Hotel the on the evening before my interview last April. The Heritage Hotel formerly the Pennine:

Duckworth Square (again)

2008-03-16T23:26:00.006Z

The former site of Duckworth Square Shopping Centre:

Duckworth Square 1991:

Photograph copyright Mike Smith 1991 - www.picturesofderby.co.uk

Planning something radical

2008-03-07T18:00:00.002Z

Derby concrete

2008-03-05T23:46:00.001Z

Lost in space

2008-03-05T22:20:00.003Z

Another photo from my friend, supposedly of my other friend Kier.

Photo copyright Jon Snape

Reflections of a city

2008-03-05T01:08:00.005Z

Some lovely photos sent by a friend

2008-03-05T00:18:00.007Z

The Tricorn

Photos copyright Jon Snape

Westfield accompanied by delightful elevator music

2008-03-05T00:09:00.000Z

Trinity Square, Gateshead

2008-03-03T23:50:00.006Z

I believe another building designed by Owen Luder is to bite the dust this month. The Trinity Square car park in Gateshead. Not too sure if this process has started yet, but I know the plight of familiar landmarks facing demolition certainly creates a lot of passion, either for or against. Is it important that our towns and cities maintain their own identities or will everything simply become homogenized in the future?
(I know it's not Derby, however it's somewhat related to the notion of 'sense of place' and whose sense of place?)

Duckworth Square, Derby

2008-03-03T23:22:00.006Z

It appears that Derby had its very own 1960's shopping centre that has now been demolished, Duckworth Square, albeit on a different scale. I will have to seek out this site. Apparently it is now a car park.

The ghosts of Brutalist architecture

2008-03-03T22:51:00.005Z

The demolition started nearly 4 years ago.

A late start and a late finish

2008-03-03T21:50:00.005Z

Photo through the studio window this evening:
I had a productive late evening in the studio, and now I feel a lot better about my late start. I would have liked to stay later but I get evicted at 9pm. Hey-ho!

Does Derby have an equivalent?

2008-03-03T12:26:00.006Z

I was thinking about where my home is. Here, there, both? Is it where you live or where you have roots and connections? It was one of those daydreams you have where you're not thinking in any particular depth or detail. Then this infamous building sprung to mind for reasons I cannot explain. It is the Tricorn Centre, Portsmouth (designed by Owen Luder), which sadly no longer exists. This building has an interesting story; this is what Wikipedia has to say.

Wikipedia mentions the hoardings, which was actually the work of artist Jeannie Driver. Love it or hate it? Now on this site is a very large empty space currently being used as a car park. I miss looking at this building's spirals and curves and of course its 'seediness'!

Does Derby have an equivalent with a story as harrowing as this one?

Six months

2008-03-02T12:35:00.018Z

Well I am six-months into the project now. The work is looking after itself and gradually forming the basis of a show. I have yet to run the schools' workshops but I've been working pretty continuously in the University. This has been a really interesting experience and I have enjoyed many of the discussions I've had with the students. It is a privilege to have an insight into how they are developing their own practice. Also, working in the University environment has definitely informed my own practice in some way. Perhaps it has enabled me to focus more on what I am doing through the questions and debates that arise? It is fantastic to be fully enveloped in it whilst not having to wear too many hats!

Artwork by first year student Maxine Morris:

Did the earth move for you?

2008-02-27T09:07:00.004Z

Did anyone feel the earthquake? Well I did, and didn't know what the hell it was. I awoke feeling really frightened and my heart racing. I had heard a loud noise and had been aware of the sensation of my bed shaking. By the time I was fully awake it was all over - so put it down to a vivid dream. Before going to sleep I had been reading a book set in war time London in the blitz, so just assumed that this is what I was dreaming about, until I heard the news on the radio this morning, when of course the penny dropped. I'm glad I didn't know what it was at the time and went back to a lovely sleep.

Market Hall 2

2008-02-23T11:50:00.000Z

QUAD progress

2008-02-22T18:44:00.005Z

IS ANYONE OUT THERE ... brave enough to go on these rides with me before they're gone?

Has Christo visited Derby Guildhall recently?

2008-02-22T18:41:00.004Z

Spring flowers (?)

2008-02-22T18:39:00.002Z

What do you consider art?

2008-02-21T22:52:00.002Z

A friend sent me this via Facebook:

For the love of art

2008-02-18T18:34:00.004Z

Is this a sweet little joke or a little sweet joke?

The Crompton... Derby... NEW YORK!

2008-02-18T11:51:00.008Z

Derby's Kate Smith is showing her work at the Drawing Center in New York. The exhibition opens this week and continues until 27th March. In my opinion her work is stunning. I first met her at the open studios at Banks' Mill before Christmas where she had a temporary studio for a few months. If you can't make it to New York and have never seen her work (or indeed want to see it again), you will be able to see some smaller works at the Crompton in March (see blog entry below for details).
Image copyright Kate Smith 2008

Exhibition opportunities at The Crompton

2008-02-18T11:46:00.004Z

The Crompton Tavern is a city centre pub with wall space, cases suitable for small 3-D/ installation works, a juke box, flat screen TV and a large garden. If you are interested in exhibiting in the Crompton, send a short CV and artist statement along with a couple of images to The Crompton Tavern, 46 Crompton Street, Derby DE1 1NY marking the envelope 'Exhibition'. Please include a SAE. if you want the images returned.

They are particularly interested in proposals which are experimental in nature and which increase accessibility to a wide range of disciplines. Proposals for solo and group shows considered.

Exhibition programme Feb - April 2008
Ovum
works by Beth Heaney
8th Feb - 1st March 2008

remake, reveal
Small drawings and recent work by Kate Smith to coincide with large drawing being shown at The Drawing Centre in New York during March
2nd - 28th March 2008
Opening night: 2nd March 7 - 9pm

Richard Tailby
Photographs
29th March - 28th April 2008
Opening night 29th March 6 - 8pm

The days are gradually getting longer

2008-02-17T16:49:00.005Z

Today has been beautiful - cold but with an immaculate blue sky. I've spent time preparing canvases this weekend as well as spending some time in the company of 'a good bunch' in Wirksworth.

I've also made a decision, I'm definitely going to Berlin next month.

The Shed

2008-02-15T19:40:00.005Z

My parcels arrived today.

Domestic bliss?

2008-02-14T18:44:00.004Z

Today I couldn't find any beauty or comfort from this place. So I turned to my domestic space and searched a little harder. This must be on account of feeling under the weather on this grey day.

On a brighter note I'm expecting another parcel tomorrow.

Market Hall

2008-02-14T14:42:00.002Z

Click image to enlarge.

QUAD today

2008-02-13T23:46:00.002Z

A little glimpse at the second floor

2008-02-13T23:07:00.010Z

A selection of some of the work produced during the painting workshop. More to follow as I get permission from the students. Clockwise from top left, artwork by: Jess Halcomb, Kim Sharratt, Phil Turner and Katie Hollender.

Danielle Gee, Jess Halcomb and Kim Sharratt admiring Phil Turner's work:

Danielle and her friends:

Jess, Jess and Jess:

Kim posing with paintbrush:

Where it all happens:

Two-day painting workshop

2008-02-12T19:10:00.000Z

The last two days I've been involved in delivering a two-day painting workshop for a group of first year students. I am now exhausted and have a sore throat due to the amount of talking involved. Contrary to popular belief I found this amount of talking demanding. Perhaps this was because I had to engage the brain before opening the mouth - a change from my usual idle chatter. Joking aside, the students engaged and worked hard, and hopefully they all got something from it in their individual way. I'm just pleased that I over heard a few saying, "well when I come in tomorrow I'm going to....." and "what I'm going to do next is....".

I'll try and get permission to take some photographs tomorrow.

One, two, three, two

2008-02-08T16:40:00.001Z

Half way

2008-02-08T12:00:00.000Z

This week I have just passed the half way mark. I've been here five months already. This week holds the record for the most amount of meetings: printers, photographer, University staff in readiness for the two-day painting workshop next week with first years. I've done my preparation for this. This week I have ordered new materials (just waiting for the canvas and stretcher bars now), I've been drawing, researching and I made my first animation. Lets use the description 'animation' very loosely here. It's very basic as I'm not very hi-tech. But why complicate things when simplicity does the job?

One thing left to do is make a decision about going to Berlin with the University. Do I forsake the time in my studio to go and have a great cultural experience? Let's face it, it's bound to be inspirational.

Was ist im Kasten?

2008-02-08T11:53:00.000Z

Yum! What a surprise!

No no no no no ...

2008-02-06T17:56:00.000Z

I've just been out for a walk to get some fresh air and to get a few bits. I have just seen Easter eggs in the shops. Further still - most of them weren't even egg shaped! The worst offender was a Dr Who Tardis, Tardis shaped and made of chocolate. Ah yes silly me expecting egg shaped.

Rant over and out.

One, two, three

2008-02-05T19:56:00.000Z

Alternative grapefruit No 1

2008-02-04T21:14:00.000Z

A friend of mine has just kindly sent me this digitaly remastered grapefruit.

Spot the difference.

I'm excited!

2008-02-04T17:36:00.000Z

Today I had my first meeting at the printers. I am excited about the prospect of having my first catalogue printed. I was starting to feeling this would never happen. Someone told me once that if you ever have a chance to have a catalogue printed then you should grab the opportunity as it has a much longer shelf life than any exhibition. The Vickers Award is very kind to me and to quote Bjork, 'I am a grateful grapefruit!'.

Mark Making

2008-02-02T12:11:00.000Z

Morph

2008-02-02T11:44:00.000Z

The work copyright 2008 Johanna Domke-Guyot

I went to an exhibition opening last night at Derby Museum and Art Gallery and Pickford's House Museum. It was a show by a group of artists called Morph Dynamic Creatives. The show was mixed but one of the exhibitors was a third year student from Derby University, Johanna Domke-Guyot. I find her work very intriguing and feel that it has a real strength. But what I feel should really be congratulated is the fact that a student is being proactive and exhibiting their work. This I admire greatly.

How things can change

2008-02-01T15:24:00.000Z

3pm today some snow:

London

2008-02-01T13:06:00.001Z

Gallery Fifty Three with Jeannie Driver's 'paper spike' in the window:

On my travels this week I broke my journey to do some stuff in London. Spent most of the day in the pouring rain checking out potential exhibition spaces in the East End. A very worthwhile task nonetheless. As well as a little bit of retail went to an opening at a new gallery in Knightsbridge (Gallery 53) where four colleagues from Art Space Portsmouth were in a group show 'Works on Paper' (Jeannie Driver, Seran Kubisa, Sally Taylor and Mike Blackman). It was good to catch up with some familiar faces and some old friends. I must say the gallery is very smart indeed. Quite a different feel to the East End spaces of earlier in the day - but isn't that what's exciting about this city?

Brick Lane:

I want it - it has Bambi in the middle:

No Snow

2008-02-01T12:56:00.001Z

On my return to Derby I was expecting snow. Believe me this is still quite an exciting event for someone from Portsmouth (well actually that's probably just me!). But instead lovely winter sunshine. This complements my optimistic mood perfectly (especially as I spent most of yesterday as a drowned rat). I am feeling optimistic because it is February - hooray! I have a bit of a problem with January, me and January are just not compatible with the exception of the 1st.

Next move

2008-01-30T20:46:00.000Z

I gave a talk about my career path, residencies and the Vickers Award today at the University of Portsmouth (as an ex-student).

What was really great is that the speaker following me was Wayne Hemingway - who I must say was very entertaining and funny.

What he had to say made a lot of sense. He was very inspirational and obviously has a very strong work ethic.

On the move again

2008-01-29T17:42:00.001Z

Today I travelled back to Portsmouth as tomorrow I'm giving a presentation at the University about the Vickers Award at a Next Move conference. This was much more relaxing than driving, but took quite a while longer. Unfortunately I felt travel sick and these photos are not helping right now... quick where's the sick bag!

Hmmm which way?

2008-01-28T17:38:00.001Z

QUAD today:

QUAD hoardings with photographs by Jon Legge & David Graham:

Derby Ram:

45 minutes later...

2008-01-27T17:22:00.000Z

Please excuse my self-indulgence. I just need a coffee, biscuits and a bear hug!