i've been working my way very relaxed through simon schama's power of art series, which is uploaded on to youtube. It's cemented my feeling that i am painting the right thing, to not worry about painting things just because i think they'll sell, or because people click 'like' more on facebook, things like flowers and prettified landscapes and cats, dull things, dull ideas, empty. But this series makes a point of showing that the best art is confrontational, extreme, extraordinary and very usually hated. From Caravaggio to Rembrant to Turner to Rothko (and 4 others) we find artist after artist who dealt with very real and uncomforting material. This encourages me, it's very encouraging, it assists my confidence to ignore those haters who dismiss your work unless it makes them feel comforted. I don't mind making comforting images occassionally, when i want to, but i have refused and will continue to refuse to coddle and hide my vision.
we saw simon schama at hay on wye festival giving a talk, it was very good and funny, that reminds me i have a video of him dancing to that pulp fiction chuck berry song, will have to upload it.
Have also had a couple more rejections (or chalk cross moments) from Jerwood drawing prize and halls open competition, and applied to so many jobs and residencies i've forgotten. So i continue to intern at The Public, a building which appears more silly and impractical with each visit.
here is my latest painting
And here is a photo of my exhibition at dudley library, my first solo show.
hopefully many more to come
