I have recently attended a couple of Alumi days at West Dean College. They have been excellent – two tutors Kate Boucher and Mark Anstee have guided, assisted and otherwise inspire a group of us whilst we work on our own projects. The day starts with a statement of intention and closes with a look at how each of us have got on achieving those objectives – a great opportunity to work with a group of like minded people all working on different projects in different ways. I hope that we have many more opportunities to do this at West Dean.
I have already posted about the first of these days. On the second day, I wanted to explore gesso so started by preparing a host of postcards by adding gesso. This was either left to dry or was scratched and scraped into first. Once day, I added ink and wax and scraped and scratched some more. Here is an example of the outcome:
At the end of the day, I was set two challenges – firstly, to try (for the first time) working with oil paint and the other was to think about working both very small and very large.
I decided to start with very small and an idea was borne! Next year my husband and I will exhibit at the Oxmarket Gallery in Chichester. As he is a photographer, I decided to set about creating a body of work responding to his photography by working in my own way using mixed media but utilising photographic equipment. To date, I have acquired two ancient cameras (the box brownie brings back childhood memories!), a hundred plastic slides, several hundred slide holders and some lovely vintage spools. Paper slide cases are on order and I shall have fun deciding how best to work with all of these. Whilst the objects are not found, I like the ethos of re-using vintage items in a new way. Here is a taster of what I have in mind:
I am creating a quantity of similar pieces to display in groups.
The next challenge – oils. I have just three tubes of oil paint and some cold wax medium. Should be fun!
I plan to experiment with working big at College in July.
Helen Frost Artist 