Blog 90: Something beautiful

June 21, 2016Leave a comment

Anke Birnie ‘Acrobat’ IMG_1698 - Version 2

I visited the Affordable Art Show in London at the weekend and fell in love with so many pieces of work. I spoke to the Artists and saw the excitement in the eyes of people who knew they had found something absolutely made for them.

‘Acrobat’ is my pull out photo today because I was drawn in like a bee to a honey pot by Anke Birnie’s work at the Store Street Gallery stand. The tension in the acrobats arm, her hand clinging to the rope, the bronze and her clothes draping are all part of her appeal, but with all arts there is always something else which is indescribable. Something beautiful.

Blog 89: Switching worlds by the Thames

June 16, 2016Leave a comment

Went to the Tate members evening on Tuesday and what a queue!! No complaints though, as nice day, nice location and determination to want to get inside to see the new building the ‘Switch House’.

There is something about the Thames, the bridge and Tate Modern that make you feeling you are gorging on a very luxurious cake.

Well the 10^th Floor viewing gallery is a must see. Looking out over London, looking into properties and the lives of people lucky enough to live local made a powerful impression on me.

My advice. Wait for a quieter time, get to the 10^th floor and take the opportunity to relax, think and transport your mind to the creative landscape, which surrounds you. I suddenly felt I was back there, if only.

Blog 88: Stretching the imagination

June 10, 2016Leave a comment

Wow a location where the arts and sciences are in unison. Being outside, enjoying a structure which just has a very calming effect is a must for anyone feeling they just want to get out away from the rat run. I don’t know if it’s the stretched fabric, the idea of a robot behind a screen and of course the colourful environment surrounding, but without doubt engineering has suddenly become live for me.

Elytra Filament Pavilion V&A Engineering Season – 6 November.

Blog 87: Exercising my imagination

June 3, 2016Leave a comment

Another day enroute to my goal. I know it’s not the destination it’s the journey that’s important, but there is no doubt in my mind having a goal is more exciting than frustrating. Well today it is.

Prior to my next injection of cultural activity, I turn to my bookshelf for some useful prompts and inspiration. My latest amazing find is ‘How to have great ideas’ A guide to creative thinking by John Ingledew.

My day starts with ‘Exercise your imagination’ and that’s exactly what I intend to do

Blog 86: Finding Bees

May 15, 2016Leave a comment

I plan to stop numbering my blogs once I get to 100, but getting to 100 has been a greater challenge than I expected. I’m presently feeling like one of the few people on earth who is not on face book, but no worries, I see this blog as putting my head above the parapet and my attempt to join the other side.

Well for the moment number 86 continues to be my memory bank, which is essential and today I return to my trip to Oxford University Museum of Natural History and finding Bees, in particular Kurt Jacksons Bees exhibition.

Amazing creatures in an absolutely amazing place.

http://www.oum.ox.ac.uk

Blog 85: Upward and Onward

May 4, 2016Leave a comment

Finding the prompt that helps you move forward is often a challenge. A change of environment, a visit to see something new and or a good book with a cup of coffee is my recommendation.

Red flowers, upward, onward and a good read. ‘The person who doesn’t make mistakes is unlikely to make anything’ a wonderful quote from an excellent read by Paul Arden. ‘It’s not how good you are, it’s how good you want to be’ is really motivational, accessible makes you smile and with quotes which I am sure I will be referencing for some time.

Blog 84: Finding your prompts

April 26, 2016Leave a comment

Don’t give up searching for your prompts because once found it’s a roller coaster ride from there on.

Art in whatever form is for everyone however much it may feel housed for the elite.

The more I look at these pots, the more I sense a form of communication. What was the mood of the artist, what are they trying to say but more importantly, they have encouraged me to question and be curious. What is great there is no right or wrong way to feel about the creative offers surrounding us but opportunities and possible prompts. Do carry on looking, as there is definitely a prompt out there for you.

Pots by Picasso at Winter Palace St Petersburg 2016.

Blog 83: Community spirit on the Southbank

April 24, 2016Leave a comment

Back from a trip to the Southbank and I still have goose bumps.

37 screens showing scenes of Shakespeare plays along the River, mentioned on Radio 4 on Saturday evening was my first prompt.

My plan was to negotiate the crowds attending the Marathon and off to Blackfriars bridge tube station I went.

I have always been a supporter of the marathon but from afar, not really engaging but this has definitely now changed!

As I crossed the Bridge on my way to the Shakespeare events I could hear the cheering and feeling already the support and community feeling around the activities taking place below. Runners at the 24-mile point and people lining the road and on the bridge above shouting encouragement for them to keep going. I never imagined the impact this would have on me. Not meant for the visitor aiming for the cultural experience; the crowds, cheering and community spirit surrounding me has been like a shot in the dark and has opened another door to the inspirational experiences and opportunities around me.

Blog 82 : Finding Beauty and igniting a smile.

April 23, 2016Leave a comment

A quote from my recent read and which really made me smile this morning was ‘Make the World to believe in you and to pay heavily for the privilege’ from Gilbert & George.

I wondered for a while and quickly did a Wikipedia search and found some other snippets, which have touched the right nerve. What do you think?

Their work is referred to as anti-elitist and adopting the slogan ‘Art for All’ aiming to be relevant beyond the narrow confines of the art world.

My recent read referred to in Blog 81 and today is ‘Think like an Artist’ ..and lead a More Creative, Productive Life by Will Gompertz. A must read for anyone needing some inspiration.

Blog 81: Finding my voice

April 22, 2016Leave a comment

Having a passion about something does not mean your own narrative and own voice comes easy, but when it happens it’s worth all the pain.

Procrastination, lack of confidence and looking inward rather than outward can stifle your ability to grow. Personal growth and the ability to succeed can happen at any time; it’s about finding the right buttons to press to begin the escalator up.

A plane trip to Russia, my dose of art and a good book has given me the shake up which has reignited the journey I have been waiting for. First things first; one good book ‘Think Like and Artist’ by Will Gompertz which I would absolutely recommend. An easy read with inspirational messages and it also highlights you are not on your own. Second the medicine I also needed was a Tony Cragg work a surprise at the Winter Palace in Russia.

cultural-dimensions

Being Creative,Being Artistic is Being Bright