As more and more shows restrict photography I have begun to struggle to find an image to represent my recent experiences. But not allowing photography is a positive as more time is spent enjoying rather than taking pictures.
My latest expedition was to the National Portrait Gallery to see the Picasso Portraits exhibition, which is on until 5 February 2017. A sunny day, a trip to Trafalgar Square, a coffee of course and a Picasso moment, provided me with a lasting image for the day.
Candoco Dance Company at Sadlers Wells
I am always so inspired by the talent and creativity out there. As a fan of self help books I am always on the look out for things to read, do and see which press the right buttons to ignite passion, enthusiasm and confidence.
My number 100 blog feels just right as this Sadlers Wells show by the Candoco Dance Company was amazing, thrilling and inspiring. The production was so forward thinking and has kick started me into including Contemporary Dance now in my creative launch pad.
Worth having a look at the video clip ‘ telling – 25 – stories-in- our -25th -anniversary -year.
David Smith, CubiXXV111965 Solomon R.Guggenheim Museum, New York. By exchange 1967. On Display at the RA in London.
My latest venture was to the Royal Academy of Arts exhibition ‘Abstract Expressionism’. An exhibition I loved particularly because of work by artists such as Pollock, Rothko and de Kooning. So much colour and so much meaning and once again my arts hit did the trick.
David Smiths sculptures on display in the Annenberg Courtyard outside the RA building are so different to the show inside. I walked straight passed them enroute in, but worth a long pause at the end and my reason for a planned return visit with lots of questions.
Merete Rasmussen (born 1974) ‘Red Twisted Form’ 2012.http://www.mereterasmussen.com
Time has passed since the London Design Festival in September but its time for me to revisit my image prompts and remind myself of the talent and inspiration available out there. I recommend collecting information or images, like collecting ingredients for your favourite meal. Always have them available for that moment when you need that pick me up.
This piece caught my eye at the V&A because of its colour, exactness and that element of fun. A beautiful piece in a rather austere environment and perfect as part of the Festival.
Alex Katz: Vivien 2015 Maja Hoffmann Collection. Displayed at the Serpentine Gallery August/September 2016
There is no doubt if you need a pick me up or inspiration for a new direction a trip out for a cultural hit should be your doctors orders.
A spur of the moment decision to take a walk up exhibition road to the Serpentine Galleries on a beautiful Sunny day last week has touched a nerve for me and has provided me with the ignition I have been waiting for.
Alex Katz: Quick Light exhibition was one of the experiences on offer at the Serpentine alongside an architectural extravaganza distributed throughout Hyde Park.
This exhibition primarily focused on Alex Katz landscape paintings and showed how he ingeniously strips away all unnecessary information leaving only the most essential ingredients
I have to be grabbed by a picture or an experience, I am not a daudler so it is a quick scan and move on but one picture in this exhibition particular caught my eye and continues to draw me in. A picture of 6 women, different but the same. The background colour and the poses all are thoughtful and intriguing. The chosen location in the exhibition must be congratulated as it hit you when you entered and exited the gallery.
Although this exhibition is now closed I would recommend a visit to the website. http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/exhibitions-events/alex-katz-quick-light This artist has a life times experience with some great pieces of advice.
Finding your own ingredients should always be your own prompt as once you have found them, its then all about the mix.
There is something about these flowers which make me smile. Looking homely, comfortable and absolutely right against a backdrop of a roadway and the green countryside. Slightly wacky but creative fun at a design wonderland, Vitra design Museum.
A quote I have recently come across, which I understand is from Edgar Degas ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see’ is now my starting point.
An enameled door in the Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp chapel in France grabbed my attention. Images on a door, in a white washed building with a grey stunning roof . 
Its what others see, alongside an architectural extravaganza on a hill in the Ronchamp French sunshine which might make this door open.
Camden Arts Centre booklet and more
A wonderful sunny day at the Camden Arts Centre, a venue with friendly staff, a great place to have coffee and most of all an opportunity to see some thought provoking art.
The ‘Making and Unmaking’ exhibition presently on display shows a wide selection of work which has an intimate British Museum feel. Wonderful colour, an array of materials and textures all from a diverse mix of artists. A great space to enjoy and exhibit artwork, with a perfect garden for a sunny afternoon. Dana Huddleston and Mrinalini Mukherjee were artists that definitely caught my eye.
Art for everyone in North London.
No photography is presently allowed in the exhibition ‘Making & Unmaking An exhibition curated by Duro Olowu’ but a visit to the website will give you a good taster.
‘The Portrait of Sakip Sabanci’ by Kutlug Ataman
With ‘selfies’ and a ‘look at me’ culture, it was a welcome relief to find a piece of work at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, which was a reminder about the people around us.10,000 LCD panels, hung from the ceiling like a large sheet quivering in the wind. ‘The Portrait of Sakip Sabanci’ by Kutlug Ataman was a work, which really focused on people, but it was the people whom Sabanci had encountered before his death 15 years ago. It was a reminder of my own people landscape and a great choice for the exhibition.
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