Making the invisible work visible
Newsletter Issue #70
I’ve been feeling stuck on what to write about today.
While I want to stay consistent with these newsletters, I also want to provide some level of value to you, my lovely reader, and frankly the last two weeks have felt unglamorous (artistically speaking). I haven’t made any new progress on the snapdragon painting (memory refresh here and here if you want it), nor have I spent time painting. When these visible reminders of progress go through natural pauses it is easy to forget all the other work that goes on in the background. In truth, looking through my diary entries of the last two weeks I’ve actually done quite a lot, the progress of it just isn’t in my face in the same way my paintings are, so my mind forgets that it has happened.
In the last two weeks, I’ve been working on my website, drawings and surface prep for a host of other paintings I’m planning, and I’ve gone out to see some art other than my own. All important tasks in the their own right that actually deserve some recognition because it is these tasks that culminate in the final pieces of my artwork. I’ll touch on each of these briefly today, and deep dive as needed in future newsletter issues.
WEBSITE
I’m in the (slow) process of updating my website. All the work currently being undertaken remains unpublished as I go through all the stops to make sure everything is in order, but the two big updates coming are a shop and a dedicated section on commissions, which will include a request form and more information on how they work. If you know anything about setting up a shop on squarespace, please let me know, I would be most grateful for the opportunity to pick your brain.
DRAWING & SURFACE PREP
Last year I came across the term ‘astrological botany’, as one does, while reading one of the many books I have the pleasure of keeping in my collection. I can’t remember which one, but I’ll find out and share another time. I also discovered a bag of 8 small unused frames while clearing out a forgotten corner of my home. These two occurrences sparked the beginning of an idea for 8 paintings that I’ve been intermittently working on since. I’m now nearly finished with the sketches and research for them and my surfaces are ready to start painting on. My thoughts on the project remain scattered, though this problem usually goes away as I start painting, so I’m looking forward to being able to share on this more eloquently soon. For now, here are 2 of the 8 sketches I’m most happy with.
GALLERY VISIT
On Sunday I finally went to see the Cecily Brown exhibit at the Serpentine. I say finally because it’s been on since March and I’ve had a reminder to go and see it since it opened. Cecily Brown is one of my favourite painters so getting to see so many of her paintings in one place was really cool. I particularly love the way she creates forms through her abstractions because I always end up finding little surprises in her paintings and it feels like being privy to a little secret. Most memorable however, were the collection of drawings included in the exhibition because they showed some of the processes that lead to the finished pieces. They showed me a playfulness I felt in some of her paintings but didn’t know was such an important component to her work. Seeing those drawings allowed me to view her paintings with an updated perspective, which I found rather inspiring. The exhibition is on until early September, so if you’re in London and curious, I do recommend having a look. It’s free.
GALLERY VISIT
On Sunday I finally went to see the Cecily Brown exhibit at the Serpentine. I say finally because it’s been on since March and I’ve had a reminder to go and see it since it opened. Cecily Brown is one of my favourite painters so getting to see so many of her paintings in one place was really cool. I particularly love the way she creates forms through her abstractions because I always end up finding little surprises in her paintings and it feels like being privy to a little secret. Most memorable however, were the collection of drawings included in the exhibition because they showed some of the processes that lead to the finished pieces. They showed me a playfulness I felt in some of her paintings but didn’t know was such an important component to her work. Seeing those drawings allowed me to view her paintings with an updated perspective, which I found rather inspiring. The exhibition is on until early September, so if you’re in London and curious, I do recommend having a look. It’s free.
We'll catch up again soon,
Arietta xx