Made it ! Cutting out colours ….

Well finally got back to London to see the Matisse Cut Outs. By the `skin of our teeth` we made it before the exhibition closed.

It finishes on 7th September- hurry and see it if you live nearby ! 

I think Matisse really is my most favourite artist – I pretty much love all his paintings and sculpture and these cut outs are so relevant to me whilst working in glass.

Good to see `old friends` like the `Snail.`

I understood, for the first time, that, with some of his work, ( my current favourites)  Matisse was trying to re-create his experiences of underwater diving in the South sea islands with all the sensations of colour and shape.

I also understood that these cut-outs all lived pasted or tacked onto the walls of his various homes over a period of time. One of them even began by cutting out a shape and, not wanted to destroy it, he used it to cover up a mark on his wall. That began a process that turned into two huge pieces of work !! It was fascinating to see photos of them on their original room wall- then see them framed on a gallery wall.

The films showing an ancient Matisse deftly cutting out shapes, and directing his (very well dressed) assistants in positioning the pieces and tacking them onto his wall using a hammer, gave a real insight into how he worked. Squares of freshly painted paper could be seen hung up and drying, waiting to be cut-out next.

I am certainly inspired to try some shapes in new glass work. And of course to use cut coloured paper to workout new designs. I may try a `homage` to Matisse ! 

I love his phrase …`cutting out colour`….that is exactly what it is….

 

 

Sunshine longtimes….

I can smell Autumn…..
The temperature has dropped and thoughts turn to jumpers and sunshine memories.

I am now looking into outlets for my work, and thinking about making for Christmas. I LOVE Christmas.

I have recently completed a circular piece for the kitchen window and beautiful bluebirds and birds of other colours. Ideas for glass trees, will keep you posted.

The summer sun will hopefully burst out for a bit longer, often September can be surprising and we have had weirdly warm Octobers. The gorgeous Melbourne son has had to endure a British winter and an OZ one back to back, so it will soon be his turn to enjoy a Melbourne summer. I hear Melbourne summers can be pretty hot.

Mumblings and musings…

It has been too long.
My excuse is trying out lots of new things. That must be good. I have to do some new things to earn a crust and thankfully I have had some choices. I am now back to a creative patch and a pocket full of ideas and a head full of colours.

Need to order some materials and fingers crossed I will be able to earn a crust from these results too. Am trying to write this from a tablet to stop me making excuses for not writing at all ….bit slow and if my finger brushes the wrong space it all disappears !!
I will endeavour to drop into this space more frequently. Pics of ideas in progress to appear soon……mainly glass I think but certainly using clay for exciting moulds….or molds……