Walkies

So after much procrastination I finally rounded up my wee bro for a walk to Ashton Court.... these are some pictures I took along the way.....

Creativity and inspiration

I have been spending the whole morning procrastinating (again!!) but I've been looking for inspiration (which is better than just doing nothing i suppose!!) and i have decided that i am going to have a go at Art Journalling in the new year

http://daisyyellow.squarespace.com/abstract/art-journaling-101.html

I'm also keen to try to create something every single day..... I have attempted this (and failed at it!!) before, but my previous attempt was to do a drawing a day, this time i am hoping to think of my creativity in a much broader sense, in terms of sewing, drawing, painting, baking, photographing, etc, etc, you get it!!

Anyway, I have been looking to this site as a starting point.

http://creativeeveryday.com/

I am going to stop procrastinating and get out of here, off for a walk... which I am planning to document in photographs which I might even bring together into a drawing or story.... here goes....... watch this space!! :)

Inspiration

Feeling a recent lack of inspiration I set myself on a mission and looked for projects to set myself and rediscovered Keri Smiths blog on route...

http://www.kerismith.com/popular-posts/100-ideas/

I'm going to make it my mission to do ALL of these things in 2011, I hope to put my progress on here along with other thing that i find inspirational and any ideas of things for me to do are welcomes :)

In 2011 I plan to use my blog as a tool for inspiration and feedback, so all coments and suggestions welcome!

Anyone in Bristol who might be interested in joining me for a group crit over tea and cakes give me a shout!!

US of A

Arrived after a long journey in Hollywood and went straight to bed!! Woke early the next day refreshed and ready to explore... wandered around the vast streets of Hollywood, saw the Chinese theatre on Hollywood Boulevard - walked the walk of fame and a little of Sunset Boulevard. Saw our first glimpse of the Hollywood sign. Decided that it was all a bit chaotic with the cars (4 lanes of relentless traffic!) and headed up to the Observatory in Griffith Park. (It took 2 buses to get there and was a bit of a mission but we were overwhelmed by everyones friendliness!) Got an amazing view of the city (smog and all) and the Hollywood Hills. The next day we got on the free hostel bus to Santa Monica and had a paddle in the North Pacific. We walked along the board walk to Venice beach which was a major contrast to the peaceful upmarket Santa Monica Beach - almost like Camden by the sea!! Loved the beaches but have decided in general that L.A. is really overrated!! Day 3 we spent 8 hours on the Greyhound bus stopping only once at Coalinga Junction... in the middle of nowhere, it smelt like shit!! The 8 hour journey was worth it though when we drove over Bay Bridge to see the stunning nightscape of San Franciso. Today we set off on foot walking past Grace Cathedral and through Nob Hill (I'm not joking, this is a real place, hehe!!) From there we wandered into China Town which was colouful and lively, around the corner we found the Italian part of town (North beach i think), so bizaar to step out of China, into Italy!! We carried on up telegraph hill and i went up Coit Tower where there were absolutely spectacular views across the city, beautiful! We walked down the hill to Fishermans wharf and watched hundreds of sealions on Pier 39 and saw Alkatraz (didn't really fancy paying $25 to go over to it although i've read a little about it). We carried on along the wharf to the Maritime Historical Park and into Fort Mason Park when we decided it was time to head back uo Russian Hill and back to the hostel for a pitstop before checking out Union Square. I think we must've walked 10 miles but it was worth it and i've fallen head over heels for San Francisco already, I absolutely love it!!

I'm on countdown...

No, not the TV program, though that would be entertaining!! I'm counting down the days until I jet off around the world... 2 weeks and 6 days until i hop on a plane to Los Angeles baby!!! And only 9 days of work left (not that i'm counting or anything...)

It seems like only yesterday that it was a month until I moved out of my house, now that's passed and all of my worldy possessions are boxed up in my folks loft in Leicester and now i'm actually counting down the days until my trip!!! It's a bit daunting but i'm more excited than anything else. I'm so excited in fact, I've pretty much packed my backpack!!!

Bring it on!

Keep checking my blog as i'll be writing tales from my trip up here every now and then :)

Torsten Lauschmann

Since i work next door and still haven't got around to seeing the latest exhibition i thought it was high time i stopped in at the Arnolfini Gallery so in my hugely tired and hungover state i bimbled on in this morning and was pleasantly surprised!

I read the details on the website about the lastest 2 artists showing and must admit i wasn't impressed and was going to give it a miss, but i thought it would be rude as i pass by twice a day and should give everything a fair trial (especially since it's free!)!

I was super impressed by Lauschmann's work in the downstairs gallery. I didn't really understand it, but to be fair i don't generally understand art despite studying it for 4 years, and i don't think that it really matters if you find something aesthetically pleasing! I spent far too much time during my degree worrying and asking the question 'what does it mean?' only to realise that i'm not too bothered as long as i can react and take something away from the experience of seeing the work. I think i was most intrigued trying to work out how the work was made.

Saskia Holmkvists work was even more of a mystery to me but it was interesting to see an interview with the artist. Although it was interesting in its own right, i find it hard to enjoy art when the artist feels the need to back up the work with an explanation about the piece as i think a piece of work should be able to be viewed and conclusions made by the viewer. I think i need to pay another visit when i'm less tired to watch all of her videos all the way through giving my full attention!

It is a nice show overall as both artists work are displayed in a lovely, unusual way, definately worth a visit.

I've currently got some work on show as part of a group exhibition at the Grainhouse Cafe in the YHA on Narrow Quay on Bristol's harbourside. It is on show until the end of the month along with the work of ChloeBullock, James Clark and Kirsten Powell.