August Studio Work

Work has started to become slightly messy having settled in and established a working practise within this particular space. A miscalculation with the opacity of some handmade paint caused a more dramatic result than I was aiming for on 162 (above left) and leaves the work a few steps ahead of what was planned to happen. However, I think it has come out quite beautifully and I shall be working on how it might develop. It reminds me of not being able to sleep very well.

Despite living with these paintings, I don't yet find myself involved in a 'relationship' with them. 163 (above right) in particular is not currently taking on much of a personality. It's a little like living with people you don't know very well and who consequently act in ways that are unexpected. This could possibly be a positive - it requires new methods and avoids a reliance on going through the motions.

Recently, I have been considering these paintings, and other as yet unstarted works, in relation to Graphic Design - especially since the Abram Games exhibition came to town. They often emerge from a series of very small drawings or diagrams and develop through a history of experiments. In particular, the paintings involving cellular forms often seem to embody the spirit of logos - simple representations of perhaps emotive states. I have wondered about the benefits of creating visual identity guidelines in conjunction with a statement or manifesto. But also I have wondered why there should be a manifesto if beliefs keep shifting at regular points. Maybe it doesn't matter.