30/12/22

Penultimate day of the year. admin and prep before a few hours in the studio!

For the time of the year that it is, I find myself in a bit of a reflective and thankful mood. 2022 has been good to me.

There have been losses also. People who have impacted our lives that have moved on, but their imprint will remain.

So much to be thankful for, a loving family, the support of friends and loved ones during the highs and lows. Also, to those who took a chance on my work, who invited me to be a part of their projects:

01/02/21

My display for Firstsite’s “Great Big Art Exhibition”. — My display for **Firstsite’s “Great Big Art Exhibition”**.

Blessings this morning.

…it’s not animals.

02/02/21

Parcel from Trebuchet — Parcel from **Trebuchet**

04/02/21

05/02/21

Some paint down but not much.

07/02/21

Trip to the Derry Vaccine Centre.

08/02/21

10/02/21

Fingers crossed.

11/02/21

Rookie mistake so sketchbook work instead.

13/02/21

Less doodle and more noodle.

15/02/21

Great news!

16/02/21

Need to make a point of getting into the studio tomorrow.

17/02/21

A lot of scraping and pushing around paint to “Washing of Hands” piece. It may be, for right now, I’m forcing works that are stagnating. As solid as they may be compositionally I feel at a loss with where to go next. Could be why I’m drawing a hell of a lot more lately - looking for other avenues?

In any case it felt great to move paint about for the first time in a while.

18/02/21

Fully intended - FROZE - self-doubt.

20/02/21

Self actualisation - making real of the inner self.

22/02/21

Back to work!

…little more interactive.

23/02/21

…collapsed. Postural hypotension.

24/02/21

HBKA!!!

25/02/21

“Titles are an extra brushstroke”
Lynette Yiadom-Boakye

Clarification

27/02/21

Poor … way too much going on at the one time.

Reading round is back! So happy to see those faces!

Little bit of self-doubt still here. If I try to force it, the doubt seems to grow roots. Flip side of that is that you can the self-doubt can stagnate and you can then avoid going into the studio all together.

GET IN BUT NO PRESSURE

Bleached out several canvases on a spur of the moment this evening. I think starting again / fresh thinking is the best option. Out with the old.

28/02/21

Well, completely cleared the window piece. Aiming to start Spring with a spring in step so I’ve drawn up few pieces and see where they lead.

02/12/22

Wardell Milan - Louisiana Channel

Sketchbook work - it’s been way too long!

03/12/22

Quick studio time…

… as suspected, it didn’t take much to get last two paintings of the year over the line. Still aiming to keep the (well, less is more is a little inaccurate) “Stop before I think I should” mentality.

Definitely less misses with this strategy.

08/12/22

‘New Exits: 10 Years of Painting’ opening at the MAC. Excellent show. Daniel Coleman’s painting ‘The House Down the Lane’ is absolutely stunning. It moved me to tears. A real stand out from a strong group show.

11/12/22

Freezing in the studio.

Drew up two small works (having a crack at the ‘Jaws’ image again - with a slightly altered composition) and have set up to take a look at a couple of pieces that have fallen through the cracks recently.

‘Street Walker’ and ‘Laughing Man’ (working titles).

17/12/22

Wood is for the living, stone for the dead.

Said farewell to GT’s reading round. It’s been such a boost having this weekly outlet of chatting, sharing ideas and making connections. Had a great run!

Stream of admin this evening.

18/12/22

“Tomorrow is Saturday” - Interesting documentary on Sean Hillen.

28/12/22

Studio time. “The Week in Art: 2022 in review” podcast.

Blocking in on the small piece. ‘Man looking in his pocket while descending the stairs’ or ‘Looking for keys’ OR ‘Check your pocket’.

29/12/22

Newcastle.

30/12/22