PMAG Day 2. Logistics

 

I had an academic 121 this morning so yesterday I'd planned with the curator to go to the PMAG in the afternoon.  I spent about 3.5 hours working in the pop-up studio space.  I was met soon after arriving by a lovely visitor who asked what I was doing and I felt I was much more relaxed about having conversations today.  We spoke for a few minutes about "what is Art?"  and I'm rapidly realising that I enjoy talking to people about it.  When I started my degree I wasn't really fussed about working on projects involving communities or the general public.  I thought I'd work independently to create work.  Rather than feeling disturbed, as fewer visitors engaged with me as the afternoon continued, I missed the little chats.

I'm getting a bit of a taste of what it's like to be a travelling artist today.  I'd been focused on where I was going and making sure I had everything I needed yesterday.  Today, I've been more aware of the items I'm moving with me.  I'm able to leave some things in the staff office, but once I set up, if I forget anything or need to leave my area, I'm essentially leaving everything in a public space.  Today, I left the attatchment that connects my phone to my tripod in the office which meant I wasn't able to set it up straight away and I had to 'arrange' a trip back to the office to retrieve it.  

I've also had to carefully plan what mediums I use. I've expanded from soft pastel, to acrylic paint today by using little pots with lids for mediums and water - although I really dislike acrylic. Sadly it's a mutual sentiment and acrylic doesn't often behave well for me.  I might have to make sure I can prep lots of oil painting surfaces and see how far I can limit any smells from oils.  now that i know the lidded pots work, maybe I can build up to oil paint.  

The work I'm focused on creating is using a number of references which has been a little confusing - I've brought studies home with me to continue working, so that I can take something good back on Monday to fill the space.  I'm hoping this puts me more at ease to explore the rest of what the PMAG offers in terms of opportunities, without worrying that I've not produced artwork.

The location of my pop up studio.  I'm nestled to the side of the gallery, around the corner from Fashion exhibitions, between the Fine Art Gallery and Ceramics exhibition.

This does pose some problems in terms of using a tripod as I don't want to leave it in the pubic walk space, where it could be a trip hazard, and if I move into the public space to take photos, I'm not in them.  I think I may need to ask for some assistance from someone who's handy with a camera.

"Here's one I made earlier." Using a pre guesso'd canvas to limit mess in the Gallery.

Working with alchohol pen drawing out "Dolly" from references, but aiming to capture her as a 20 year old, similar to how she appeared in photos.  I think you're aware of how you want to be captured in a photo but an artist depicts you in the way that they see you...so this will be an interesting combination .. I think I may have confused myself.   I trimmed the edges of the pillowcase that had been made to create the canvas as they didn't work for this peice.

The Witch, in the background - being used as one of many references.  Me looking very serious.. Must remember to look approachable ! 

Going back to a drawing from yesterday, where I'd used tracing paper over a digital copy of "Dolly" but softened her features to get a feeling of how she might look at a different age.