ARTISTS TALKING

# 10 [13 June 2008]

Even sketching I feel bound by the restrictions of printmaking. Such a static medium when compared to oils. I will have to try to find the emotion in this medium or use it as an ‘as well as’ medium.

# 9 [13 June 2008]

April, May, June is all about the collection of data. Concrete knowledge acquisition seems to be characteristic of this beginning as experimentation with new and varied mediums along with researching painting subject matter is my priority. I constantly need to convince myself that discovering new mediums and taking part in this experimentation with printmaking has merit in the process of evaluating and questioning my practice. Whatever I may have known about printmaking has hidden itself away in the recesses of my mind; hopefully I'll rediscover the knowledge once practical printmaking actually begins. I seem to be in good company as there is talent in my surroundings. Right now, it just all seems a bit like dabbling with crafts.

# 8 [5 June 2008]

Interesting. Being given a short run through on the large Albion press used for relief printing of all sorts, the roller press for etching and lithography and various other aspects of the workshop such as screen printing and solar etching facilities; it seems that my membership includes the use of a wide selection of inks and equipment, a good work area and useful extras. Every Wednesday and Friday I'm apparently able to take advantage of guidance from some of the experienced printmakers who will be using studio at the same time.

I need to decide which discipline to tackle first...... back to my notes on various print techniques as a refresher before going in next week.

# 7 [28 May 2008]

Relieved to find a gallery tuned into current life and contemporary art, the Study Gallery kept me interested and curious. This varied exhibition stimulated a curiosity which encouraged recollections, words, stories and memories and influenced my perception of the Art on view. The range of mixed media was just what I hoped to see. After viewing some artworks I made a mental note of my responsibility to pay careful attention to the creative treatment of events: with empathy, not sensationalism.

# 6 [23 May 2008]

 Starting today Dorset Art Weeks have member artists exhibiting their work and opening their studios to the public. With the sun promising to shine, I’ve short listed several venues to visit together with friends; an opportunity to talk to artists about their practice and to view work in a variety of mediums including photography, painting and printmaking.

# 5 [17 May 2008]

Events and issues worth considering as subject matter are piling up  -  I’m sure that selecting a topic will not be a problem, focusing on one issue may be.

I discovered a painting and printmakers’ studio, which I have now joined and will be involving myself in a clutch of courses just as soon as I can. Interesting disciplines such as solar etching and printing, monoprint and screen-printing are on my list. Just as well there's no imposed deadline to this, as it's going to take some time. I'll soon get a feel for which medium, if any, to include in future work. Studio space is not a problem as long as I pay; the Victorian premise has well equipped print and painting studios for daily use.

# 4 [8 May 2008]

Searching for an alternative to painting on my terrace at home I'm finding that a studio space seems elusive - but the hunt goes on. A large room, a beach hut, anything with a roof would be good! Reading through the many blogs in Artists Talking I know I'm not alone, the problems of setting up in a new environment are familiar to many.

At the same time, an Arts Institute webmasters course has helped me to update and design a new website which together with this blog, a silent motivator, will be used to collate ideas, plans and my work in progress. It all helps to focus direction.
www.inezschrader.co.uk

# 3 [28 April 2008]

Browsing sites researching mixed media, the NSW gallery website, ‘under focus on contemporary’ was extremely interesting.  www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au. After reading about Kounellis a member of a group called the arte poveras who used discarded industrial materials instead of traditional oils, bronze and stone, I was encouraged by the eclectic mix of matter in his work.

I'm opening my mind to new materials: considering anything which can be used to naturally enhance and add dimension to a piece of work. To mediums: considering  installations, objects, canvas based pieces, paintings and photography. Excited by the thought of new applications and mediums, I need to get out there and find some courses.

# 2 [24 April 2008]

Setting out to understand my elected coastal environment began with time being spent at a beach hut studio space. Over the coming weeks my self-imposed brief is to observe life, behaviour and humanity crossing the beach. Digital macro photography, pencil, charcoal and pastel sketching, together with deliberation and reflection, have begun the process. No oils as yet.

The study of further environments such as city or suburbia may follow as ‘events’ selected for attention present themselves. I may never move from using the coastal environment. Whichever provides the most fertile ground will be exploited.
Getting up close and personal with selected newsworthy issues aided by local newspapers, and a constant sourcing of current ‘event’ pieces, is a concurrent priority. Space and audience are two major factors considered in the process of making work. The beach and its public will be the story.

# 1 [21 April 2008]

Each of us searches for our own sense of time and place; this compulsion drives me to evaluate my perspective as an oil painter. Creative expression is being affected by the digital age and mechanical forms of reproduction daily influence our thinking and works. We are a generation of artists thrown into the mechanical deep end and need to recognize the value of these digital diversions and their contribution to art.

A move to a new environment and a search for greater creative inspiration is the beginning of a determined attempt to explore and ‘confront my work in an endeavor to redefine my position in relation to contemporary art.’  A time to explore new possibilities.

Possibly unable to pursue an M.A. through the institute at which I was accepted, I'm devising an individual course pathway, primarily engaged in focusing on the framework of my practice. This collaborative space will hopefully prompt discussion, concentrating on researching within contemporary art practice, provoke debate where necessary, innovate ideas and subsequently encourage my examination of outcomes in order to form the basis for learning.