Remix/Breathe photography

Had the pleasure of taking some photos for the Remix theatre group last week as they prepare for the international exchange trip to Brazil.  All part of the preps for Breathe at the Weymouth Olympic Opening event.  Amazing costumes and promises to be a wonderfully designed performance.

Torch Relay workshops for Bournemouth and Poole

light projected through the 3D bird before it was decorated

Had a lovely time working with Year 12 and 13 at Twynham School yesterday and also with the young people at Maumsbury House in Dorchester last week, bringing my recent series of Dorset Torch Relay transfer of skills workshops to a close. 

Planning now in place with WAVE for me to go into schools and work with the community across Bournemouth and Poole and deliver the workshops directly.  So I get to do make-the-make as well as talk-about-making-the-make!  We'll be making large scale banners as well as hand held artworks to decorate the route as the Torch passes through the streets of the area.

Ex Libris 2012 Altered Books now till Fri 25 May

L'arret du coeur (found object, seawater deposits) Denise Poote 2012

The exhibition end date is now extended and artist-educator Laura Joy who puts together this exhibition each year is running a book making workshop on Friday 25th May 1-4.30pm which will be a wonderful opportunity to do some site-specific learning with a great printmaker!

 

"In this half-day workshop, there will be an opportunity to make a Japanese stab stitch book and a pamphlet note-book.

The book forms demonstrated offer endless uses, & participants will be able to adapt them to bind prints, drawings and other printed ephemera, as well as creating their own sketch-books & journals.

The Workshop is suitable for beginners and those with some experience.

Basic materials will be provided, but please bring special papers if you wish to use them or your own prints/ drawings if you choose. Also a pencil, rubber & ruler would be useful & a bone folder if you have one.

There will also be a chance to look at the books created for the ‘Ex Libris’ altered books exhibition currently on display in the Library.

Cost £20. Refreshments included.

Bournemouth Library, 22 The Triangle, Bournemouth BH2 5RQ

Places limited to 10 participants

To book a place, please contact

Sue Buck - Telephone: 01202 451805     email:  sue.buck@artsbournemouth.org.uk

Laura Joy – Telephone 07765681592     email: laurajoyful@yahoo.co.uk

"

All the Bells at Fishermans Walk, Southbourne

Just got the information pack from the organisers for Martin Creed's Work No. 1197: All the bells in a country rung as quickly and as loudly as possible for three minutes.
http://www.allthebells.com/
I think it's going to be excellent:  at 8am Fri July 27, the day the Olympics opens, there's going to be a real racket, a joyous cacophany.  I hope everyone else is as enthusiastic as I feel - I'm really looking forward to it!

Mixed media experiments

I made these panels for my dearest friends after I missed their wedding.  They live in Wales so I researched a bit of Welsh heritage and worked handmade paper, newspaper and gold leaf onto a watercolour base.  The welsh knot is made of the guardian from Friday 13 when they took the plunge.  Cawl is a fiercely Welsh broth and traditionally drunk with wooden spoons from wooden bowls.  I'm adding text to the Cawl piece and have been double-double checking online for any misspellings before I ink them onto the panel.

Altered books exhibition 17April to 7 May 2012

As part of World Book Night celebrations on Mon 23 April, I've made an altered book to show along with others from AUCB students and alumni. My book this time is called L'Arret du Coeur, an ex-library book that is encrusted shut with seawater deposits. Here is the programme for the night of Mon 23 at Bournemouth Central Library. http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk/LeisureCultureLibraries/Libraries/World-Book-Night-Bournemouth-Library-events.pdf

Brushes app

Have been learning to use the Brushes app that Hockney uses on the ipad and it seems my doodles are of nice young men and goth girls - who knew.

Cycling Machine at Brilliance 2012

This is the work I made at The Bicycle Company, Poole as part of the Brilliance 2012 art trail

It is an installation of old technology and bicycle parts and shows split portraits of commuter cyclists. The images are scrolled through on an old ipad to resemble the tumblers of a one-arm bandit. 

I am planning to show the work again at Royal Bournemouth Hospital Open Day early May and have development ideas in progress of further work on related themes.

Here's my artist statement that I displayed with the work 

"All Power to the Cyclist, a Venerable Exponent of Ultimate Hand-Eye Coordination.

This artwork was made with two things in mind: the desire to make a one-arm bandit like installation that would include human power in some form and the nature of the site (a bicycle rental and repair shop whose history includes trophy-selling and a previous incarnation as a bike shop).

I captured digital images of people who regularly commute by bicycle and show them on old-style technology, vamped up with night vision in mind.

Thanks to the generous participants who include pharmacists and fitness instructors, medics and musicians for the pause they made from their working day. This selection is only those brave souls I managed to catch at the beginnings or ends of their journeys – many, many more cyclists inhabit the busy, rush-hour roads than I represent here."

Heatherlands Art Week 2012

Just arranged to revisit the lovely Heatherlands Community Centre for its summer Art week again this August.  Last year we explored the Jurassic Coast but as it coincides with Olympic fever, this year will be all about Make and Take with an Olympic theme.

Torch Relay Workshops for Dorset Schools

In anticipation of the London 2012 Olympic Torch passing through Dorset during early July, I have won the job to visit 5 6th form groups and 2 Teacher Area Network meetings across Dorset to deliver a programme of artwork makes that the young people and teachers can then go on to deliver to local primary school students.  I will also be developing an online resource that will demonstrate how each of the makes can be delivered that will be available to anyone who wants to participate in the cheer-leading and roadside celebrations that should accompany this unique event.

Xtreme Arts Studio are London 2012 Young Games Makers

I am very proud and pleased to say Room 13 Xtreme Arts Studio young people have won a place as Young Games Maker volunteers at the London 2012 Paralympics Aquatics Centre.  I am part of the team supporting them so get to go too!  The team of 16-18 years olds will bring back the experience and put it towards making a piece of interactive artwork for the new gym at Kings Park Primary School who host the Xtreme Studio and gallery space.

Brilliance 2012 Friday 9 March to Sunday 11 March

As part of the Brilliance 2012 artist showcase, I have been given this marvellous window space at The Bicycle Company 2 Grand Parade just off Poole Quay to show some new work.  A range of selected artists' work will be on show in different locations around this Old Town high street area to coincide with the Twin Sails Bridge opening weekend on Friday 9 March to Sunday 11 March 6-8pm each evening.  Thanks to Martyn at Bicycle Company and Poole Arts Development for the opportunity.

Poole Children's Lantern Procession 2011

After a reschedule we finally got to parade the lanterns, stars, clouds and giant crescent moon made by Hillbourne Year 5, Lilliput and Old Town Year 3s and Corfe Hills Year 9 students.  The drizzle and rain did not cause the bravehearts to fade and as usual it was a lovely kickoff to the celebration at Christmas.

Beechcroft St Pauls Eco Banners

All the way to weymouth this week to make banners on the theme of Ecology as part of Beechcroft St Pauls Ecology Art Week.  Worked 2 short sessions with Year 2 and then Year 1 to make beautiful images using drawing  and stencilling techniques.  The school will finish the work with the children by flooding the white areas with vibrant coloured inks.  The finished panels will be displayed locally I think, possibly in the church.  This work came via the DepArture Arts Portfolio.

Age Concern Art Week

I showcased some screenprints in the first Age Concern Art Week in Tuckton recently.  Will Martin the shop manager has an initiative to periodically offer window space to artists to use as a showing space.  The next Art Week is taking place in January.  Contact Will via email address www.willmartin@hotmail.co.uk if you are intereste in making some work for this project.