new inspiration, an interview + a give-away

a new art project I am working on, more coming soon.....

A little bit of bursting going on over here. The kind that knows that new beginnings are brimming, close by, ready. The ones where the days aren't long enough to fit everything in. But it's good because WE HAVE CHOICES in the way things go - always a heartening thought.

Watching Life of Pi last night reminding me of the need for EXPRESSION to know who we are, or who we choose to be, as without expression anything else is just a concept - yes, I am reading my latest book The Only Thing That Matters - which is where I glean this information from. And then there is a collision of concepts that coincidentally link and tie in. The oh, 'I just read that idea' and 'that links with what just happened to me' and now 'I am watching a film that is reinforcing that' and gosh, that really hard thing in my life is an opportunity to make a DIFFERENT decision/action/thought about it. Continual hard-work and practice though I feel.....

And so I get ready for the next experimental art e-course. I am excited! After a year in the back seat (open access) I am back to be fully involved in all that is done, created and made on the course by those joining me. And because I have just finished reading this book: The Icarus Deception: How High Will You Fly? - I feel even more confident about my decisions to share with the world the kind of art that OPENS DOORS, that goes beyond traditional, the one that invites participants to join the experimentation knowing there is no right nor wrong, the kind that encourages artistry of our own lives - can I make such a claim? :) - you'll have to find out for yourself I guess ;) (+ read the interview below!) Oh gosh, I wish I'd had a schooling that led me to believe that I was the locus of control instead of a standardising and box-ticking type - it was art school that 'saved me' - you might want to read this post. As a person with children, I still long for an educational system that invites creative problem-solving instead of re-hashing the past. I feel a growing sense that there are many things becoming outmoded right now, and our educational system seems to be one, especially as the new government here are doing something which I feel could be thoroughly damaging with detrimental affects for future generations - this letter here by one of my favourite artists Bob & Roberta Smith sums it up: http://bobandrobertasmith.zxq.net/

Bob & Roberta Smith - affecting change:

I was fortunate enough to go to a talk by Bob at the ICA on Friday - I took my trusty moleskine notebook and these are a summary of some of my favourite and salient points:

- Individuals CAN affect change through art and action

- Know you should and can be in charge

- Our power has been eroded; we need to remember we DO have power and we need to use that power

- Artists have incredible agency and your voice does have an impact

- Public space is equated with freedom

- Culture is free speech (this is one reason why art and artistic expression is so very vital in my book!)

- Say what things are (how you experience them), and say what you mean - yes you!

- Art is a tool of free speech

As far I'm concerned art is a tool to redefine your whole world, a way; a process; a tool for questioning, for building, for experimenting to see what works and what doesn't (for each of us).

I am working at home this weekend on my own mini at home artist-in residence, some new projects are brewing and I will share more with you in good time (see image at top).

An e-course interview:

And I include an interview here with Beth Noble who did my art e-course a couple of years ago (just in case you need inspiring ;) and here's what she said (and made!):

AC: What was your journey in to art before doing the experimental art e-course i.e. what had you done, studied, taught yourself in terms of art?

BN: I had been using my creativity as a desperate measure to gain some semblance of sanity for many years (like about 20!) as I had struggled with depression and anxiety. It was all self taught and I basically did writing and oil pastel drawings. There was a hiatus of several years as I didn't really 'need it' anymore, and then I had my daughter and the shit once again hit the fan. I was at sea and the only thing that could save me was me, and my creativity. So I put all those years of writings and scribbles into a book and still wanted more. A local community art space had an exhibition and I literally stumbled across it one day. Inside I found a treasure trove of beauty, creativity and the authenticity of the work moved me to tears. I spoke to Amelia whose work it was and thanked her for using her art to pick over the bones and go into the shadowlands. She said why not do a course with me? I was stuck at home almost 24/7 with a baby, a grumpy and travelling husband and I thought, what have I got to lose? I signed up and was hooked. Amelia was so different from my hideous art teacher in high school who told me I was crap as I couldn't paint a lemon still life.  Who wants to do that stuff anyway? 

AC: What was your greatest fear or challenge about doing art?

BN: Making time for it. There is always time, we just need to find it. Creativity can fit into our lives.

AC: What attracted you to doing the experimental art e-course?

Amelia and that it was experimental and not constrained to painting fruit in a bowl (BORING!).

AC: What were some of they key elements you got from doing the course? And what did it give you personally? 

BN: Amelia freed me to honour the journey and the experiementing. I loved every minute of it. I was again crazy for the creativity. I took photos, painted with spaghetti and my fingers, stained stuff with tea, collaged... It was so freeing and so nurturing. And there were so many cool things to try. 

AC: I know that you've since gone on to do a Foundation Diploma course here in London even though you're now living in Spain, how did doing the experimental art e-course impact or affect your decision to do this?

BN: After a while, Amelia said, what about taking this further? I thought why not. Let's see if there is anything in this. I wondered if this journey I had been on for almost 20 years could be something others could benefit from. So she recommended a Foundation in visual arts. I rang around, found one I liked, went for the interview, was offered a place and signed up. It was a wonderful year. I was madly juggling work, motherhood and creativity, but I loved that I allowed myself the chance to explore and grow. 

AC: Where has it taken you now in your own art journey since doing the experimental art e-course and the Foundation course in art? 

BN: At the end of the Foundation Course I managed pulled off my first solo exhibition. And sold my favourite pieces. It was a miracle and a gift. So affirming that what I had been through mattered and could make a difference for others.

But with all the wonderful teachers I had at College, Amelia is still the best teacher I have met.  She is empowered in her own creativity, and truly supports others to find their voice, which is rare in this game.

AC: What advice would you give to anyone thinking of doing the experimental art e-course themselves?

BN: For me, doing Amelia's course was a wonderful gift to myself and I am grateful every day for what she gave to it. I have clarity now about moving forward and have moved to Madrid where I am preparing for my next show. If you want to discover, nurture and celebrate your own unique creativity, then I would say go for it. Life is too short to not follow our dreams!

AC: Thank you so much for sharing Beth! :)

AND A GIVE-AWAY FOR YOU! 

For anyone out there who is feeling like they are needing to find or do something to express their creativity and carve a new way forward then I have decided I am want to do a GIVE-AWAY - I am feeling inspired at the moment and wish to share. I have two words for this coming year: EXPANSION and GENEROSITY  and so I am starting now, I love a give-away and haven't done one in a while. Soooo, for the first person who signs up to my e-course in response to this blog post (send me an email as soon as you've signed up putting 'The Icarus Deception' in the subject line), and I will send you (wherever you are in the world) a copy of this book: (it is brilliant!) please note: the book has gone now, but you are still most welcome to join the next experimental art e-course :)

I look forward to hearing from you, and let me know what inspires you now right now? and what words you have for 2013?

Amelia.x