Studio Insights - October 2024
CREATE: What I’ve created/done & what I’m working on.
INSPIRE: What art has inspired me.
LEARN: What I’m learning to develop my practice.
PLAN: What I’m planning next.
October was a slow one for a change! Last month I said it was going to be in full production mode. I didn’t paint nearly as much as I hoped due to a major lack of motivation and inspiration - more on that below.
I did, as I always do, find plenty of inspiration in looking at other art! Perhaps I have an alternate career as an art critic… not so sold on the pretentious art talk however. Any jobs out there to just look at lots of art, and do nothing? I’m really good at that.
“Run from what’s comfortable. Forget safety. Live where you fear to live. Destroy your reputation. Be notorious. I have tried prudent planning long enough. From now on I’ll be mad.”
CREATE: Studio Group Critique
As I said, creation was a little slow this month. One particular standout moment was a critique session held with my studio group. We each showed some work and opened up to group feedback for around 10 minutes - I showed my studies and drawings I had planned for the ‘Urban Solitude’ series I’ve been working on.
This was a real blast from the past, it felt like being back at uni again. I realised both how much I missed giving and receiving critique, and also how valuable it can be. I don’t often get any feedback on my paintings beyond just gauging what people are most drawn to, and comments of support. Most people are too scared to say if something sucks, especially if it's after the piece is done and it’s too late to change. Frankly I’m scared to hear it too, but nobody ever got anywhere truly productive floating on clouds of praise.
This isn’t an open invitation to roast me by the way - I absolutely love all the kind words and support I receive. But perhaps next time you see an artwork, kindly and gently ask the artist if they'd like some constructive criticism (emphasis on constructive). Not everyone is open to it, but those who are will treat your words like golden nuggets of wisdom.
I’m also quite happy with how this new piece has been slowly coming along, good things take time!
INSPIRE: Skullduggery guided tour + more
When I first started this blog I intended for this section to highlight one exhibition or piece of art that inspired me the most. This task quickly became impossible - there’s too much great work out there that I want to share! So instead I’m trying narrowing down to a top 3.
I’m open to feedback on this, if it’s too much. I will feel sad for art that misses its highlight though.
Skullduggery Guided Tour
The Thistle Hall has absolutely been the place to be lately, following last month’s ‘Non Disclosed Artist’ exhibition. ‘Skullduggery’ is a masterful display of sci-fi/fantasy art held around halloween every year and is one of my absolute favourites. Paul Tobin and Kate Jorgensen (Curators of the exhibition & Creators of ‘White Cloud Worlds’) took us on a guided tour around the exhibition, complete with an impressive knowledge of the 50+ artists on display. We had less than an hour - they could have talked all night and I would have happily listened.
I was most impressed with how often they began with ‘and this year this artist tried something completely different’. Something about this show pushes the artists outside their comfort zone to try a new medium or technique. I found that both inspirational and a little frustrating - they all seemed to absolutely nail this ‘brand new’ method.
World of Wearable Art
I’ve lived in Wellington for 8 years and never attended the World of Wearable Art. This was a huge mistake. I was absolutely blown away and hooked during the entire performance. It was a mastery of set design, lighting, music, choreography and of course beautifully intricate ‘costumes’ (literally walking pieces of art, as the name would suggest). Also they had a dude walking around dressed as a chair. 10/10
Zinefest
The Zinefest is always a fun and unique small scale art market event. I should really exhibit in one of these again some day (back in 2020 I made this zine with my writer friend Kieran).
A great opportunity to pick up some criminally low priced art - I added these two beautifully detailed prints to my collection.
LEARN: Quarter-life Crisis
While I do find it important to keep a sense of professionalism and general note of having my shit figured out (spoiler: I don’t), I also have been pushing myself to be more open and vulnerable. I like to treat this blog as a zone for deep reflection on my creative journey, almost more for myself than for any readers. There is an overwhelming amount of glamorous fluff on social media, and I’ve found I connect most with artists who show some ‘behind the scenes’ of their struggles. Thankfully there does seem to be an upward trend of this kind of content becoming normalised recently.
So why am I having a Quarter life crisis? If the mid-life crisis stereotype is buying a convertible, the quarter-life equivalent definitely seems to be dropping your life on a whim and moving overseas for no particular reason. And yes, I’m considering it. (Overseas that is… not the convertible. Ask me again in another 20 years.) What it comes down to is a simple but confronting question - do I actually want to make my living off art? I’ve spent the last 4+ years chasing this ultimate goal, and the closer I get the more I realise that maybe I don’t want the prize. The nature of my work means I often book art shows a year or more in advance, which doesn’t leave much room for experimenting and changing direction. This is usually done right when inspiration is high, but when it comes to actually creating the massive amount of work required, motivation can fade. I’ve spoken to many artists who struggle with the same things.
Don’t get me wrong, I am incredibly thankful for the privileged position I’ve been in to pursue my art with such focus. A lot of people have to slog away while working a full-time job, with barely any time left to pursue their dreams. All I’m saying is it might be time to take a break and change it up - a new location, new perspective, learning something new, a different pace of life, whatever it is. My art isn’t going anywhere, I can pick it back up any time. I think I’ve just started to come to terms with this idea, after always considering myself as a failure if I went a different direction. I don’t know what that change will be yet, I’m still considering options. All I know for certain is that I will always create art in some form.
For now I have shows booked until at least June next year, so don’t worry as it's business as usual! I’ll let you know if I decide to drop everything and join a monk monastery in some remote mountain village.
PLAN: Whirinaki Exhibition Ending
This month is also the last few weeks to view my piece ‘Ethereal Moss’ currently on display at Whirinaki for the Wellington Regional Arts Review, closing on the 17th of November. People’s choice is still active, so make sure you pop along and send a vote to your favourite piece!
I’m also currently in discussions with a few galleries up Taranaki way to join a couple of exhibitions early next year. No concrete dates just yet, but expect some updates soon.