Two weeks ago, my watercolour class at Morley College had a topic of trying experimental approaches in larger scale. One of the artists we were introduced to was Lena Gemzoe, including a video of her at work, working on very wet paper, pigment applied mostly with a plastic card. I had a go at this, and here are two paintings I did, above and below:
Now because of restrictions in London because of the coronavirus pandemic, I am working at home and the college is trying to offer virtual classes for the last couple of weeks. I wanted to apply this freer approach to a real-world subject, without being too preoccupied with accuracy. I am working on a project I have called ‘Landscape and Memory’, painting places I know but cannot visit. Initially I have started with some of my photographs of the Peak District in Derbyshire, a place I have often walked with friends. Here is the first:
Today I have done two more, which are below. I don’t think either of these are particularly good, but attempting to take a more free approach means trying things which may not work, and learning from that. The second one, below, in particular, is bigger than I usually work, and I think that shows, especially the rather ’empty’ centre. I am also trying to resist adding more controlled detail at a later stage.
I like them – especially the one at the top. It evokes but doesn’t depict a landscape and therefore reflects the current state of our locked down minds.
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Thank you Fiona, it is an interesting comment, and it was good to speak to you today as well.
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Hi Jo. I love the beautiful vibrant colours that you have used.
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Thank you, Ramani and Fiona. I am glad you like the paintings and also that we can keep in touch in different ways like this.
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