Good February to you. Can you feel spring approaching? The daffodils are pushing up shoots and the birds seem happier. This month’s post includes news about upcoming courses, exhibitions, and the Embodiment-Movement-Art and Mental Health Archive I’ve worked on since last June 2024.
As part of the Creative Steps programme with Art Council of Wales, I was able to undertake six dance tutorials, six embodiment coaching sessions, support to create the Artstudiocb website, and access support to manage any additional needs during the project. The archive documents the process with no fixed outcome, but instead shows the progress made during this time. I enjoyed it a great deal and although it was not without its challenges, I feel I am in a better frame of mind regarding my art practice.
In the archive you will find content that explores different aspects of dance, movement, embodiment, development, challenges, progress, nature, mental health, and so forth. As the project comes to an end, I feel I have made new connections, I’m more confident in my art practice, and possibilities have opened up before me. I’m truly grateful to the creative practitioners I have been able to work with.
Funding & Rejection
The Art Tour From South To West Wales Crowdfunder project was unsuccessful in terms of funding. Whilst this is disappointing, I accept that a different approach might be needed. I intend to travel from Aberdare, up to Brecon, down to West Wales, exploring the world of art as before. Funding is a difficulty for any artist. Applications are made, sometimes we’re successful, sometimes we’re not, and we have to dust ourselves off and keep going. I have a success folder and a rejection folder in my inbox. When I receive a rejection it goes straight into the folder, so I can have a think about it if I need to. Equally, I have a folder with success stories in it, which is a boost if I need it. What I’ve realised is I need to start creating contingency plans if a project doesn’t receive funding. A lot of work goes into applications, for projects that I want to see happen, and if they’re unsuccessful it can feel like it was all for nothing, but that isn’t the case. Onwards and upwards.
'Vagary' Exhibition at Cynon Valley Museum 2025
The Vagary Exhibition is coming to the Cynon Valley Museum, Aberdare, Wales, UK. Starting 4th April 2025 and running until to 26th April 2025, Vagary will explore notions of the female, fertility, and transience. I’m looking forward to the show and the opportunity to discuss my work with audiences.
I work through a process in my creative cycle of creating work, exhibiting, and eventually destroying work that doesn’t sell. The Vagary exhibition in April will be an opportunity to purchase art-work. The destruction of art-work that doesn’t sell is part of my own approach to sustainability. I reuse the frames of previous canvases, I save space, and I grow as an artist. I find this approach provides a sense of renewal.
The video ‘Value Artists Now,’ shown below, demonstrates this process after a number of works didn’t sell from the Counterfeit Exhibition. I don’t recommend this approach to everyone, but it is an important part of my own process.
Art Courses
Art courses will be coming to Artstudiocb in the very near future. The aim here is to provide instruction, encouragement, and as much support as I can offer through a video format. I thoroughly enjoy providing creative workshops in person, the participants enjoy the workshops, and offering the same experience in an online course is paramount. If you would like to be kept update to date, please sign up to the newsletter. To find out more visit the Workshops section.
I’m wishing you a very joyful February. Thank you for reading.