vivid logic arts

REMINISCENCE ART

2010-09-26T23:01:00.002+02:00

WATER MOMENTS, AMSTERDAM . . .

2010-08-26T12:31:00.001+02:00

Light and Shadow Dance, Gay Games, Cologne

2010-08-23T13:30:00.002+02:00

Whilst some very spectacular Drag Queens performed on stage, I photographed below stage!
Worth noting that whilst these are digital photographs, they appear as captured on the camera - no effects added. Photoshop has only been used as a Dark Room to crop & adjust contrast . . .

Holland Water Collection

2010-08-22T15:29:00.002+02:00

Cosan Glas: Donegal Sculpture Trail

2010-08-14T11:47:00.003+02:00

A photographic peek at some of the amazing illumintions found on a Donegal beach in July - it's an annual event: http://cosanglas.com/sculpture/

Groggan & Parkgate Primary Schools Illustrate!

2010-06-24T12:26:00.007+02:00

Here is a PEEK at some of the great illustrations pupils at Groggan & Parkgate Primary Schools have created. I'm also posting a link to VIMEO, where an animated sequence of each school's creations has been posted (click on the LINK menu to your right).

http://vimeo.com/12820577 (Groggan)

http://vimeo.com/12820876 (Parkgate)

All pupils did brilliantly & both schools made me very welcome.
These illustrations are part of a bigger project, called Origins. At this stage there were 5 primary schools and 3 artists involved - all illustrating stories local to their areas.
Before us, there were photographs taken & memories from local folk recorded.
After us, there will be a book and a website!
This has been a great project & already we can all see how much more we could do with all the wonderful artwork created. It has been great to have a decent chunck of time with the schools, so pupils have had time to become familiar with materials & develop their very unique & creative ideas fully. It's also been great for me to have enough time to get to know the pupils during the project. I hope funders still remember the importance of time in the creative process in these challenging budget times ahead of us all & the importance of creativity . . .
A big thanks to Desima for a great project & to all the pupils who engaged so brilliantly with this process!

En route to Derry!

2010-05-04T12:06:00.002+02:00

Needing a coffee fix, this place caught our eye & I just had to photo & share!
Check out the artwork - love it! These designs were part of a school's competition & the winning design got created, baked & eaten!
The coffee is great, buns bountiful & staff's friendliness encourages a return visit!

(One of) The Day(s) There were No Planes in the Sky

2010-04-30T12:39:00.004+02:00

Taken on the morning after the ash cloud annoucement - felt the need to record the moment . . .
Little did I know the moment would stretch into days!
Taken through a window from a moving bus.
Appropiately on such a strange yet on-the-surface quiet normal day, the morning has an eerie mist over it . . .

From NZ to NI, from AiR to WMH (wearer of many hats!)

2010-04-27T11:09:00.004+02:00

Another River Path - the walk's not as warm as the Karamea one - the camera though is equally inspired . . .

It would seem that my eye & camera lens can link any geographical location, even those from opposite ends of the globe . . .

Spring . . .

. . . is sprung!

Diamond Harbour . . .

2010-03-21T10:31:00.003+01:00

A wee peek at my chilled out time in Diamond Harbour & Lyttleton!

Residency Draws to a Close

2010-03-02T05:11:00.004+01:00

Everything ends sometime & so it is with my time here and my role as 2010's Resident Artist in Karamea - what an adventure!
But not everything ends - so much will stay with me. The friendships I've made, thoughts inspired by people I've met & experiences shared, memories of my many walks up and down Waverley Street with those mountains, hills & low clouds, and the connections between life and art - they have the potential to be very far reaching . . .

I have found Karamea a very peaceful and busy place - a good combination that will be calling for my return.
Visiting Christchurch & Auckland, would love to come back to put up my second NZ exhibition . . .

And of course, I've had 2 full months with my art work - who knows where that'll lead?! What a great, wonderful start to 2010!
Special thanks to Paul & Sanae - this residency offers space and time to be with your work but has really nourished my creative soul.
Special thanks also to Dan & Dee for their warm welcome, hospitality & friendship, and also to Terry & Brian.

Residency Response Photo Animation

2010-02-28T04:58:00.002+01:00

To view follow the VIMEO link on the links bit to the right of the screen . . .

Residency Response is well & truly Launched!

2010-02-27T09:22:00.004+01:00

View showing the space and the art - I still haven't captured thee pic of these very photogenic lights . . . yet!

Two of the four canvases plus the collaborative photo-textile-wood pocket.

Dan's Wall! From left to right diagonally taken by Dan (of Dandee Designs), other 2 corner images inspired by him.

Me, hoping bubbles will calm butterflies and that people will come and maybe even enjoy the art!

In the process of loading the digital projected sequence on-line, so hopefully a link will follow soon!
Monday night - 22nd of February 2010 - a night I will remember!
To put on a full show of work that only started out from the 5th of January, included 2 collaborations with people I've only met since then, included watercolour prints, canvas prints with digitally repeated images, textile & wood pocket pieces & a fully realized photo-animation projection with exclusive soundtrack created here in Karamea - and have the space prepared, lights sorted, everything hung, people informed of the launch night & exhibition - well . . . it's been a busy build up to Monday 22nd - not just for me!
Thankfully there was a great turn out for the launch night and a great atmosphere was created. I've worked with digitally repeated images before but never shown them - the pockets were a new venture and I've shown some projected sequences before but nothing like the one I've created during this residency - all new.
I'll ponder upon this more later but this residency has been a very unique & powerful experience. Possibly partly due to the number of residencies I had in 2009, so my work was already at a certain point. The big impact of this residency has been that art & life connection. And Monday night really sung that tune clearly - lots of hugs ensued!
Very simply put, people here have had a big impact - they've inspired my art, and helped me get deeper into it - and I am very grateful for & delighted with the great turn out on Monday, the fantastic atmosphere & all the efforts behind the scenes before hand to ensure the work was up & looked it's best - THANK YOU!

Residency Response is well & truly Launched!

2010-02-27T08:52:00.004+01:00

Sanna expertly hung all 52 watercolour prints!
A big thank you to her for a superb job - all these prints are suspended off the wall surface - not an easy feat to hang. This cluster is in Saracen's Cafe, the rest are next door in the adjacent Bush Lounge.

UV Portraits of residents & visitors of Karamea, mostly taken during the Community Jam night & one from an additional UV face painting night at Rongo Backpackers.
The watercolour prints really come into their own here with rich velvety blacks really supporting the vibrant UV colours.

This wall has mostly macro shots in it, one from the local orchard, a couple from the street corner at Market Cross, 2 from the Cactus Garden at Rongo & the controversial 'bird flying out of the picture (instead of into it!) on the beach.

Those who know me & my work will not be shocked to see some fire shots up - I don't think I will ever tire of photographing fire!
Lots of people were spotting lots of things in these flame shots.
Again the watercolour prints really enhanced the colours and help this body of work step out of the photographic world and into the art world.
I'm beginning to realize that my artwork has feet in both camps - I am not following current trends in contemporary photography & really believe in pushing the creative eye of the camera - responding to & translating the world around me. And the art world is still - not always thankfully - wary of photography as art. It seems people are more secure purchasing a painting rather than a photographic print.
I sincerely hope that will change - these photographic prints are my artwork!

Residency Response - some 'stills' from Projection Piece

2010-02-20T12:01:00.003+01:00

Strange to think of photos as 'stills' which of-course they inherently are!
Though this new projection piece combines a series of sequences, some fast mini animations, other slower; movement is definitely a key element. Originally the idea was to slow time down - very apt for Karamea in one sense - yet as well as having time to really be in the moment & conect with it; this is a busy place with lots of different lives being lead and stories unfolding - and things to be fixed etc!
So, hopefully I've tapped into that also. Essentially, it's a subjective view of my time here - it's hit me that's it quite a challenge to arrive in a place 5th of Jan & put up aa exhibition of new, fully realized work on the 21st of February!
Such is one of the (many) benefits of an Artist's Residency.
Show goes up tomorrow, world premier of Projected Photo Animation Piece (need catchier description than that!) at the exhibition launch on Monday 22nd.
Get to hear Karamea Sound Machine & Friend's musical response tomorrow . . .
The feet belong to Panda & are very expressive whilst he performs - there's a link to his website - if you ever get a chance to catch one of his performances - I highly recommend going!

'Residency Response' - First show in New Zealand!

2010-02-12T09:16:00.001+01:00

Digital Photo Sequence Animation

2010-02-09T12:31:00.004+01:00

So, here's a lo-res look at my 2nd digi sequence since I've been here.
More and more I seem to be collecting sequences of images, fire, ripples, shadows, fluttering flag . . . feet . . . spending time with them now, seeing what to make of them all, what they can reveal . . .
text from this video quoted from an interview video on the band's My Space page.

Karamea, River Path

2010-02-06T08:22:00.004+01:00

Spot the self-portrait!
My local 'river path'. My father has some great photos of the river path in Randalstown - flooded & covered with snow most recently.

Karamea Artist's Residency Update!

2010-02-03T12:07:00.004+01:00

Not sure who took these, myself or Daniel - one half of Dan & Dee, the couple who run the Bush Lounge & have taken me under their wing!
Taken with small tripod on top of a car bonnet!
Hopefully these will be part of a set of prints to be included in the exhibition in . . . the Bush Lounge, supported by Rongo's, launch: 22nd Feb.

Where does the time go?! I'm half way through the residency & there's so much to do & see & ponder upon & . . . time!
To date, I've shot nearly 5000 photos (the sequences take up a lot of images), created a digi photo sequence, posted it on youtube, nearly finished my second, given an artist's talk, been interviewed on the radio, gone fishing, walked over rocks to photo baby mussels, been on a milk truck along the west coast, UV face painted, met wonderful people, engaged in great conversations, soaked in the beautiful surroundings, attended several gigs, had a great dance with Benka Boradovsky Bordello Band & gotten used to introducing myself as 'norma-artist-in-residence'!

Karamea Evening Light

2010-01-31T02:00:00.002+01:00

Do you see what I see?!

2010-01-29T20:56:00.003+01:00

Flame watching works just like cloud watching - looking for recognizable forms.
So, with the camera's freezing ability (just like the clouds!) it's easier to spot the new forms within the flames.
I see something else in each of these photos and am curious if anyone else does to!
Drop me an email if you do, please!

Karamea

2010-01-25T03:46:00.005+01:00

Not a big shock that living somewhere where I can hang out in good company - on a beach - with a fire - is reflected in my photography.
This is where it all began really, photographing my fire pieces at Uni, just so my work could be assessed - as I was burning the evidence!
And then really getting into how the camera froze the flame & revealed something new, or something hidden from our usual eye . . .
My first solo exhibition followed my first residency at Annaghmakerrig, 'Responses to Fire'.
Really though it goes all the way back to me as a toddler, not settling, & being set in front of the open fire (all safety precausions taken!) & watching memsmerized until the heavy eyelids finally won over!
There is something very alluring & free about those dancing flames . . .

Scott's Beach - haven't been on it, just looking with great joy & anticipation!

Karamea Residence Artist Talk

2010-01-25T03:44:00.002+01:00

And lucky ole me gets to be interviewed on the radio before hand!

MILK RUN - KARAMEA - HOKITIKA

2010-01-20T12:02:00.004+01:00

Finally some images to give the folks at home an idea of where I am!
This is a great way to experience some of the west coast.
I got a real sense of the pioneering history of this place - imagine being dropped off by a boat that's not due to return for a month, with your sack of spuds, seeds & tools - no internet! No buildings! Just yourselves, your resourcefulness & your vision.
A big thank you to Terry - a great day!

KARAMEA: RESIDENT ARTIST JOINS IN WITH COMMUNITY JAM!

2010-01-16T22:35:00.005+01:00

Another great night at the Bush Lounge!
Sadly, my poor slinkies have now lost their slink - but had great fun in the process!
Thanks for organization & loan of UV lights, much appreciated!

Karamea 15th Jan

2010-01-15T04:11:00.004+01:00

View of Bush Lounge, Karamea

One wee walk later & I'm in a very photogenic orchard!

So, there's a bit of rain in Karamea . . !

2010-01-13T22:11:00.003+01:00

Photographer: Simon Taylor
Pics from near Brighton!
Maybe I can cope with some Irish summer weather whilst I'm here!

KARAMEA - MACRO'D!

2010-01-13T12:30:00.005+01:00

Well, fittingly, a wee bit of Karamea through a macro lens; mostly the cactus Garden @ Rongo's.
This pink flower with yellow crown is a teeny weeny cactus flower (techical gardening terminology) - I like the energy of this shot.
Think all these images have a certain drama about them.
Been musing over my collection habit/style & what happens when a set of images are put together - or indeed why - what does it add, what's new for the viewer to discover?
Starting to link what catches my eye in the first place to take these particular shots and the energy - dare I say it? - feeling? - that remains in the image . . .
( Apologies to all grammar lovers for '?'s mid-sentence. )

Karamea Residency 9th Jan 2010

2010-01-08T10:30:00.003+01:00

Don't forget, any comments on any of the images or projects, much appreciated!
: memoryseeker@live.co.uk

Karamea - 1st Full Day

2010-01-08T10:27:00.000+01:00

KARAMEA RESIDENCY . . . and so it begins! Approaching Karamea!

2010-01-04T03:45:00.004+01:00

KARAMEA RESIDENCY . . . and so it begins! TAKAKA

2010-01-04T03:37:00.002+01:00

An unexpected night in Takaka, a chance to see Julie & Julia - with the option of teas, coffee, lounging on cushions - great atmosphere!

Early morning rise, chance to hear dawn chorus.

Art everywhere! It really does transform not only the experience of a place but the place itself and maybe even the souls that inhabit the place . . .

View from my bedroom!

KARAMEA RESIDENCY . . . and so it begins! WELLINGTON

2010-01-04T03:21:00.003+01:00

Well, there had to be at least one light photo!
Surprisingly, taken in the Ladies' loos!

1st of Jan, 4 flights down, 3 to go, comfort is calling!

Patchwork, Wellington style.

Cities and their artifical trees . . .
Please note the GREY SKY - my onward flight rescheduled because of this. Which enabled me to catch a show of one of my favourite artists - Yayoi Kusama - wow!
Amazing to be able to sit within one of her installations rather than view it on printed page. Add jet lag into the mix especially with the fire fly installation - fantastic!
I've posted a link if you want to check out her work . . .

KARAMEA RESIDENCY . . . and so it begins! BRUNEI

2010-01-04T02:15:00.003+01:00

In bewteen my 7 flights to get from Belfast to Karamea, I had a 10 hour stop in Brunei.
The very same Brunei I was to teach in after Mwanza, but then Malarial aftermath kicked in.
So, serendipity strikes again & I finally get to set foot on Brunei soil - what a great 4 hours!
New Year's Eve, thoughts of doors closing & opening, very apt to be dipping into Brunei's culture a little bit.
The Mosques remind me of childhood fairy tale illustrations.
The water village is a veritable patchwork - I've come across so many in the past view days, definitely feel some form of patchwork will come out of this residency . . .
As I strove not to be intrusive with my camera, the inhabitants all waved as we passed by - I couldn't imagine the same response at home to continued tourists gawping into your private space - a very warm place & people.
Looking forward to my return 10 hour trip . . .

A GOOD START TO 2010 . . .

2009-12-06T01:29:00.002+01:00

news from www.rongobackpackers.com . . .

Resident Artist Norma Burrowes

We are pleased to announce our resident artist this summer will be Norma Burrowes, she will be staying with us from January 1st until March 10, 2010.

Norma comes from Northern Ireland and is a featured artist of the Northern Ireland Arts Council. She works in a range of mediums, but is especially known for her photography and her artwork involving UV lights.

UV ART @ ARVALEE SCHOOL

2009-12-06T01:17:00.005+01:00

After a series of workshops with a range of classes - in a very expertly blacked-out room - large scale prints were created from the pupils' work.
Any visitors to the school are greeted with a lot of colour at the school's entrance.
All the patterns around the mask are kaleidescopic designs created from the mask photo.

MORE ART & DISABILITY RESIDENCY PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-12-06T01:05:00.004+01:00

All of these images are 12"x16" and printed onto stretched canvas.
Five are to be presented with a photo-book, one with a digital projected sequence.
In this project, photographic skills were honed - particularly really looking through the lens. Macro's ability to transform or even reveal our subjective worlds played a key role.
Whilst flowers were the main theme, with everyone creating very different images, other subjects have been explored.
These and all the work created during this residency - 12 groups, 4 artists - will be exhibited in Dungannon at the end of March. Definitely worth a visit.

MULTI MEDIA PHOTOGRAPHY

2009-12-05T18:12:00.003+01:00

Black n white photography with a dash of colour on the side!
These photos needed several stages - a familiar scene was shot - tea & biccies - using macro & unusual angles.
These were reviewed and some selected.
These were traced & the oil pastels came out, picking out some detail - using colour to show tonal values . . .
Then drawing & photo became united to create these contemporary images of a traditional scene.
I've really enjoyed working with this group & this technique - you may well see it appear in my own work at a later stage . . !

UV BIG PRINTS

2009-12-05T17:52:00.002+01:00

Collaboration!
This panel in 8 feet by 4 feet (2.4m x 1.2m), all the squares are UV photos of art work created by a group of adults with learning disabilities.
They created the art work in UV light, I then photographed it & collaborated with their images to create this composition.
They've given me some great images to work with; some are rotated & repeated, creating patterns within patterns - and everyone can discover their own panel within the big print.
Big well done to all involved - think winter's just got a bit brighter!

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE CONCLUDES!

2009-10-07T18:35:00.004+02:00

So, from the first idea seed November 2008, through to the Residency in February & March 2009, and the time spent in Annaghmakerrig April 2009, with the continued pondering, selecting, editing, musing, discussing, looking, pondering, re-selecting (you get the idea!) . . . leading upto printing in May 2009 with final details finally being decided upon & added June & July - and then hours spent with Mr Frith - well, a good one and a half hours anyway - exploring the many many combinations the work could be shown in; (cue to take breath) 2/3's of the residency art works were successfully installed before the new building opened it's doors to the pupils in late August 2009.
Soon the digital sequences will be viewed from 3 areas within the school also.
I have been in the school teaching this term already and it's a lovely feeling to have a sense of the current (formally 'new') building as both artist & teacher.
It has been a great start to a new year & a new phase of Drumragh's history & I'm very happy & grateful to have been a small part of the transition from the fondly though already distantly remembered old space to the already familiar new space.
As predicted, the school community is as lively, busy & welcoming as ever!

PRINTS FOR SALE AT FLOWERFIELD A.C.

2009-10-07T18:23:00.003+02:00

If you go down to the coast today . . .
Amongst the ceramics, felts & jewellery, you will find some lovely small mounted prints just waiting for a home!
Flowerfield Arts Centre, Portstewart
All prints with very limited print runs.
A great gift idea, something unique - and supporting local creative industry.

BI FOCAL @ FLOWERFIELD ARTS CENTRE

2009-08-30T18:27:00.004+02:00

Randalstown Rose

Pink and Yellow

Urban Night Reflected

Fish's Wish for Radiance

Bi Focal Comments

Norma's room

Susan's room

Bi Focal finally tours!
Definitely planted the seeds to show these images more, in other spaces. Traditionally, the art gallery is viewed as a neutral space, yet most blank canvases arrive with their own inherent contexts & subtexts, white walls included. And whilst this was almost the same body of work that we showed at Strule Arts Centre (I sneaked in a few new ones - it's been a couple of years after all) the show took on a different feel in this different space.
Last time we combined our work, this time we had a shared corridor space that led into 2 rooms - 1 each. For me, I saw a lot more of the colours in Susan's work when able to view them all together. And yes, I think colour had a big impact on my room!
We have a copy of the comments - something I don't always leave as a viewer and yet value very much as the exhibitor; so many thanks to all that committed their comments to paper.
The preview was a really enjoyable experience for both of us, so a big thank you to all who made it & Deborah & all the staff at Flowerfield.
For anyone who hasn't visited that space, I'm adding their web page to my links - great space & of-course, in my favourite part of the globe; so far . . .

SINGING IN DONEGAL

2009-07-13T22:34:00.004+02:00

Just got an email reminder of this & thought it'd be an idea to post it - 1st August - Saturday - Falcarragh.
Karen & Caroline organizing it - really something for all.
Think 5.30pm maybe my favourite. . .
Also lovin the sound of the home-made treats!
(Click on flier to increase to readable scale.)

SHANGHAI !

2009-07-07T11:20:00.002+02:00

My favourite mode of travel! The tourist sightseeing tunnel under the river - and also my favourite set of images from the trip. One more month to go for the silks to arrive . . . fingers crossed! A fellow photographer also has a set of images from this tunnel - Hope - wonder what she'll make of my efforts?

SHANGHAI !

2009-06-15T19:28:00.003+02:00

SHANGHAI !

2009-05-14T12:36:00.005+02:00

Shanghai by night! Nature & nuture very much in my thoughts as I spend time in this vast cityscape. Even though the 6 lane deep roads are hectic with horns going, somehow it all manages to ebb & flow with buses, cars, bikes & feet all co-existing smoothly - even elegantly!

Amongst all the neon of city life, quiet moments occur . . .

From my time in Nottingham, I've always been drawn to the natural & man-made combination of trees & electric light. We need the trees, especially in a space with as many vehicles as this & yet, somehow, the trees never look better than when illuminated by street lights.
I like the contrast of the top image with the two shadow shots . . .

SHANGHAI !

2009-05-13T15:09:00.004+02:00

Shanghai is massive! It's hard for me to imagine over 20 million people, all sharing one city - but what an expanse of a city - wide and tall. One side of the river has all been newly built in the past 15 years - it's also hard to imagine all of those building not there just 15 years ago. All the many buildings with various towering heights, glass tints, brick & concrete tones & window shapes remind me of a gigantic patchwork!

Shanghai has a real 'can do' feel about it, where anything can be possible & practical innovation is a daily occurrence. Amidst this sprawling man made landscape, some nature creeps in, though the playful hand of man is evident . . .

So many lovely food options - food, textiles & photography - this city hosts great choices of some of my favourite things! Of course tea is a big part of Chinese culture & photographed above is a green tea swiss roll with a (sweet) bean filling - looks unusual to our western eye so had to try it - very yummy!

RESIDENCY, DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, UPDATE

2009-04-02T17:00:00.004+02:00

Update from Annaghmakerrig - sunny Annaghmakerrig, I am very happy to report!

Not sure why but images won't up load, so I'll strive for few words!
Originally this week was planned to complete all pieces, spend time with how the textile pieces would all come together.
However! As I had slowed the whole process down, this week is giving me quality time with all the images & all the many 'what if' ideas I've been filling March with!
I have an idea of scale, place & quantity of pieces, which is a good frame to have. Still mulling over the nature & context of school & specifically, Drumragh Integrated College.
I attended a Reminiscence Network event last week - I'm putting together a scrap book this week of a selection of the photos I have taken, that can be used along with a comments book; again, slowing down the process (4 weeks was definitely too short!) & giving everyone, pupils, staff & parents an opportunity to muse & ponder & reflect & maybe pen a poem, a phrase, a sketch or enjoy a chat sharing memories with others - all of this I see as part of this project; part of this big event in the life of the school.

RESIDENCY, DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, Day 15 lasts forever!

2009-03-13T19:20:00.005+01:00

It's been tricky to post updates at this stage as this is the stage that takes time to mull over, that causes great anxiety & then - sometimes eventually - a great buzz as all those mediocre ideas that didn't quite feel right, give way to something that does.
How to explain it, verbally or visually, is a challenge! It's kinda about being right in that moment & having a strong enough process to be able to trust your instincts.
The above image is by WASSILY KANDINSKY. An artist common to most schools.
Here's what he says about the creative process: It is difficult to explain how I suceeded. Certainly not by force, also not by reflection, and not by intelligence, and not necessarily by intuition, but rather like walking in a dream. The work of an artist is indeed very difficult because it cannot be undertaken by force, dilligence or intelligence.
Kandinsky's approach to creating images like musical compositions has had a big influence on this photographic textile work I'm creating.
We tend to turn to music in our emotional moments - it was partly this emotional response that Kandinsky strived for when people viewed his art.
As I'm sat here on my new computer, scaling, contrasting & colouring 300+ portraits, I also am thinking of the impact these art works will have on their viewers . . .
I'm very glad that not everyone is as camera shy as me - there are some great portraits bursting with personality! Thanks to all who let me photograph them.

RESIDENCY, DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, UPDATE

2009-03-11T00:10:00.006+01:00

After pointing the camera into the face of many at the college, I thought it only fair to share this photographic masterpiece! Photographer: Miss McCallan
I haven't got everyone but hopefully enough to capture a sense of all the people & all their stories that make Drumragh the warm (very literally at the moment in some depts) place it is!
The photos used to make up the patchwork will all be small approx 3" square. They'll all be high contrast Black n White images with a colour behind them.
Staff reading this - if you have any pics of events you think would fit into this patchwork, please email them to me by this Friday (13th).

The Portrait Patchwork is just one of the pieces for the new school.
Out of the 2000+ photos captured there are some that work well on their own (phew!)
I have a set of heels (above) taken in the Staff Room!
The ivy shoots through the window pane have had a lot of comments. All being well, I'll post some more tomorrow.

RESIDENCY, DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 13

2009-03-04T23:10:00.002+01:00

And the thinking continues . . .
The more I think about all the comments about the friendliness of the school, the friends pupils have made, the constant chatter in the staff room, the more I'm sure I need images of faces, of people, for one of the pieces.
The great thing about patchwork, if tones & colour are worked well, one piece can have 300 + elements to it.
Still thinking along the lines of integration also. I guess, in a way, the definition of it is found in the corridors everyday of school life.

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 12

2009-03-03T21:24:00.003+01:00

Another visit to the new site, spending time in the hall.
Starting to visualize the new work in this emerging space.
Thinking about all the options for the new works - images of empty spaces, spaces with memories of people, captured details.
Thinking about Drumragh - what truth will the artwork reveal?
What will the artwork contribute to the school's life in the new building?
Thinking about colour contrasts & tonal graduations within images.
Thinking about organza & cotton . . .

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 11

2009-03-03T21:01:00.006+01:00

Time is now spent with all of the resources gathered - images & text.
Here's some of the thoughts shared by pupils of Drumragh Integrated College:
. . .good test results, getting lost, . . . would like to move school . . . talking to my friends in the corridor . . . nobody's the same but we're all treated equal . . . in Primary school everybody HAD to be friends; in Drumragh you MAKE YOUR OWN friends . . . we have a lot of celebrations . . . the teachers are friendly . . . you can really talk to the teachers . . .I think it is friendly because it is integrated & we accept that not everyone is the same - and that's Ok . . . I'll miss ivy through the ceilings . . .one big family . . .
All the memories posted into the memory Seeker seem to painting a similar picture.
One picture created through lots of voices, memories, written notes & emails . . .
A patchwork!

TONY HART REMEMBERED AT TATE MODERN

2009-03-02T09:25:00.005+01:00

Just saw this on the news & had to share!

Fans of the late children's television presenter Tony Hart paid tribute to him in London yesterday by creating hundreds of models of his sidekick Morph. A “Plasticine army” of Morphs gathered outside Tate Modern in honour of Hart, who died in January aged 83.

In a television career spanning 50 years, Hart, who was also an artist, inspired generations with programmes such as Vision On, Take Hart and Hartbeat. Yesterday takes on Morph fashioned in neon green and dressed in “rave gear” stood next to more recognisable figurines.

Hart's daughter Carolyn Williams said that she was bowled over by the tribute, which was organised by the fans through the social networking website Facebook. “It's fantastic,” she said. “My father would particularly love this because everybody is doing exactly what he always wanted them to do which was make something - just give it a go, make a model or draw a picture.”

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 10

2009-03-02T08:36:00.003+01:00

So, the final stages of collecting all the ingredients for the final artwork have arrived.
I went to Derry today to check out Mission Hall Quilts - I have heard only good things & did not leave disappointed!
The staff were really helpful & friendly & they have a great upstairs space for workshops.

There is a HUGE range of cottons, leaving me with lots of options when I come to piecing photos together.
Depending upon the final compositions, if some panels use a lot of different photos, they will need these cottons to give them space to breathe & work as a whole artwork.

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 9

2009-02-26T23:42:00.004+01:00

Another busy Dept within the school. . .

An essential part of any studious day . . .

We tried many different combinations of pace, direction & pauses to capture this image; well done to the Year 10 pupils who helped create it - good work!
So, the memory seeking is almost at an end & the job of creating the memory keepers will be starting shortly.
I had a chat with Mr Frith today; we were going over the plans of the new building & discussing possible places for the new art work to go - brand new art work, with lots of memories & feelings attached, for a brand new building.
I've really enjoyed having time to take photos around the school & it's been great talking to pupils & staff about the project, photography, the history of the school & even hearing a few ghost stories. . . a bit like these photos . . .

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 8

2009-02-25T21:42:00.003+01:00

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 7, workshops!

2009-02-24T18:07:00.008+01:00

So, amongst the favourite memories left in the memory seeker were comments about the wonderful . . . CHIPS!
I did photograph some carrots too, just to be balanced.
The kitchen staff were pleased to hear that school dinners was listed as a top memory for some of you!

The workshops begun today.
If you didn't get your name in on time - you can still leave in a photo suggestion & some of your memories of the school.
Have a think about this - in the workshops & on the slips of paper, INTEGRATION is mentioned.
I'd like to put more personalized words & phrases onto the artwork - what does being in an Integrated school mean to YOU? Is there a story that shows this? Or an experience you would have missed if you weren't at an integrated school?
Have a good think & leave thoughts in the Memory Seeker outside the Art Dept (please)!

The above image was inspired by memories of the very first day at school in 1st year.

I hadn't thought of this until a Yr 8 pupil mentioned it today - usually on the 1st day of school, it's just the 1st years & other new pupils who aren't sure where to go - in September the whole school will be in the same boat, 6 formers maybe asking directions from 1st years!

Do you recoginize where this image was taken?

And this one?
The workshops were great fun today & as well as taking time to share memories, I think a few were created today also!

Pupils & Staff of Drumragh - a request! If any of these photos, from all the residency days, inspire a phrase, quote or memory that would go really well with the pic - let me know!

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 6

2009-02-23T20:16:00.003+01:00

Of course it takes a lot of organization & timetabling when you say to 500+ people - 'Share your thoughts with me; come join in a workshop!'
Amidst all that structure, wee surprises can creep in - I really like this photo, taken at the corridor before Mrs Donald's room.

Light painting in IT Dept

I'm collecting images that will also work as blocks of colour.
By using the long exposures, images look ike they've been painted in light. . .

As requested - an image of the popular Drama room!

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, WEEK 2 BEGINS !

2009-02-22T17:37:00.005+01:00

A reminder of some of the memory pieces from RECOLLECTIONS & the many options when it comes to combining text, image & textile to capture the essence of a specific memory.
A request to everyone at Drumragh - please continue to pass on your thoughts, memories, & stories!
It could be a poem, a drawing, a ticket from a show you saw on a school trip.
Be creative with your words, use felts, colour, collage, etc - you could spot it on one of the final art works!
Post 16 students in particular - I know you're busy prepping for exams - the artwork won't be complete without your memories!
In Week 2 the collection stage continues.
I will continue to take & up load photographs. There are some specific spaces & events to photograph this week. The drama room has come up repeatedly as a place of fond memories.
Workshops are pencilled in for this week - these can be as short or as long as need be, allowing for the inclusion of exam prepping students & staff. These will provide a platform for reflection, a time to pause & think; photo prints can be used as prompts in this process.
As the Residency progresses I get the feeling that a set of smaller pieces will work more successfully that a large scale piece . . .

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, PATCHWORK

2009-02-22T17:01:00.005+01:00

Here's a glimpse of the wonderful world of Patchwork!
Memory quilting is a well established tradition in America. Once these memories were held within pieces of old clothing. Now photographs printed directly onto fabric can be used. And always there is the challenge of finding a composition that is both pleasing to the eye & somehow brings all these elements together.
With the memory keepers for Drumragh, photos, fabrics, text & possibly pockets will all combine to share al thise memories & stories that help shape the community of Drumragh Integrated College

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 5

2009-02-22T16:47:00.004+01:00

En route to the IT Dept.
Walking around the current building is a colourful experience!

Having spent 4 days viewing the school through a wide angle lens, here's a few details captured through my macro (close up) lens.

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, DAY 4

2009-02-22T15:58:00.002+01:00

The collection of images & stories continues. Even within these 4 days the school's corridors have altered as the sun shifts.
As I'm about with the camera, I'm hearing different suggestions, my attention being directed to details I would have missed; and always there's a reminder of all the many, many stories Drumragh Integrated College embodies.
It's strange to think of all these corridors empty, doors without their subject posters - and exciting to think about those empty walls in the new school gradually getting covered with posters & artwork & the sounds of workmen replaced by the noise of a busy school . . .

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, MEMORIES KEPT

2009-02-19T00:28:00.004+01:00

Measuring up the possibilities in the new site.
After several attempts to find an entrance we could drive into, Mr Bradley, Miss Sweeney & myself spent the morning discussing the possible home of the new art work. This would then help with decisions about scale. The Memory Keeper begins to take shape.
Later a talk about a walk has planted a great seed . . . more of that later . . .
I've been having lots of conversations with staff & pupils as I sit with the tripod in the middle of the corridor - both about the project & photography, which is a great element to the residency.

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, MEMORIES SOUGHT!

2009-02-18T01:23:00.003+01:00

The memory seeker installed in the Art Dept.
Collected the first thoughts today - good start!

Memory seekers come in many forms!
Messages have started to arrive the memoryseeker@live.co.uk
The residency has begun!

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE BEGINS!

2009-02-16T23:59:00.004+01:00

The residency began with talking to staff & KS3 pupils about what will happen over the next couple of weeks & also introducing the memory seeker to them. The prompt cards will appear in registers tomorrow morning & I'll talk to KS4 & 5 pupils then.

It's a great opportunity for me to look at the school through my camera. Already there have been a lot of questions & thoughts shared as I sit in the corridor with the tripod! And I'm reminded that it is rare to be in this situation & already know the people & the space. There's an air of excitement already - a great start!

RESIDENCY AT DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE

2009-02-16T00:52:00.002+01:00

Myths & Legends, Bunscoil Phobal Feirste - FLOWER FAIRIES!

2009-02-10T00:26:00.001+01:00

Myths & Legends, Bunscoil Phobal Feirste - WATER SPRITES

2009-02-09T23:34:00.002+01:00

Myths & Legends, Bunscoil Phobal Feirste

2009-02-08T23:16:00.004+01:00

To quote The Irish News:

Bunscoil Phobal Feirste in the Shaw’s Road Gaeltacht has won funding from Awards for All for an exciting new arts programme based on Irish myths and legends.

Working with teachers and pupils, Frank Galligan, Norma Burrowes, Declan Carville, Steven Noonan and others will bring their unique talents involving creative writing, art and claymation to the project which will see the school re-connect with the community which did so much to set it up over three decades ago.

The work created will form a showcase for the school, its community and the facilitators next Spring ...

Here's a first peek at some of the fairies & sprites the P3's (and their teachers) created - don't they look great? There'll soon be some large prints of these in the reception of the school & all being well, they may appear in the animation of the story.
Another post soon with some of the story & more about my time in the school.

SINGING AND MORE!

2009-01-22T15:21:00.004+01:00

One last glimpse of Recollections at Strule Arts Centre; its still up for another week - & I'm working on what people left behind to add to the Strule Memory Seeker. The African singing really filled the space on the Opening Night & left a lasting memory with all. So, for any of you who are a bit shy about singing I'd recommend these groups - its great adding your voice to all the lovely harmonies & I definitely believe that the vibrations created help with a happy head!

So here's some info on the singing & another set of workshops that Valerie starts tomorrow:

Voice Workshops

with Valerie Whitworth

Valerie trained with Frankie Armstrong in Natural Voice Singing Technique; ‘if you can talk, you can sing’ is the philosophy behind this method of singing. Find out how to access your voice safely, through a series of warm-up exercises and vocal techniques. Sing songs from around the world, and explore different styles of singing. Experience the joy and exhilaration of singing in harmony with others in a large group.

‘Energizing’, ‘uplifitng’, ‘confidence-inspiring’ are just some of the benefits that participants have described from attending Valerie’s singing workshops.

Valerie has two groups running on a weekly basis,

Omagh Tuesdays 7.30 – 9.30

Heron Hall , Camphill Community , Clanabogan

Enniskillen Thursdays 7.30 - 9.30

Higher Bridges Gallery ,The Clinton Centre Enniskillen Both classes run for 12 weeks £30 per six weeks or £6 per class

The Artist’s Way with Valerie Whitworth

This is a 12-week programme in creativity based on the book ‘The Artist’s Way’ by Julia Cameron. As human beings it is our nature to be creative. Valerie has been working with this programme for years and has experienced its benefits first hand.

These workshops are designed to enable you to live a more creative, fulfilling life. Whatever your chosen art form, the programme can be of benefit, unblocking your creative flow, and giving you practical ways to silence the inner critic that holds you back.

at ‘The Studio’, 37a Castle Street, Omagh

Fridays January 2009 10.30am – 12.30pm Cost £90 (refreshments included) To book your place, contact Mary Gormley 8224 3882

Arts Council of Northern Ireland's Featured Artist, January 2009

2009-01-05T19:57:00.002+01:00

I am very excited & pleased to pass on this link: (can you guess who it is yet?!) http://www.artscouncil-ni.org/artist/2009/artistjanuary2009.html

RECOLLECTIONS

2008-12-17T00:06:00.004+01:00

RECOLLECTIONS, Cabin Tales

Cabin Tales, Zanzibar Masks

RECOLLECTIONS inc Be Part of the Art, Maasai Memory & Mixed Feelings, Drumragh Integrated Proposed Residency

LIGHTBOXES Detail, Distance of Memory

RECOLLECTIONS, View

Omagh Hostel, Memory Seeker, Detail

Omagh Hostel, Memory Seeker, Detail

RECOLLECTIONS - 5TH DECEMBER

2008-11-24T22:49:00.007+01:00

5th Dec (it's a Friday!) Omagh -

Strule Arts Centre - 7pm - preview of some new art by my good self.

The show will be opened by Valerie Whitworth. (It was Valerie, many moons ago, who suggested applying for the Tyrone Guthrie Bursary.)

BE PART OF THE ART!

The new work combines photos with patchwork, memories, stories . . . There is one piece that I'll complete for the last week the show is up - and it includes you! I'm inviting people to bring a little something they are happy to leave behind. It can be a bus ticket, receipt from lunch, page from a book you are reading, a favorite lyric, recipe, swatch of fabric, wrapper, a penned thought of the day, a brief history, . . . You get the idea. I'm curious about all the stories that fill these supposedly neutral spaces we use to exhibit art works. The show runs throughout December & January. Any work purchased can be taken once paid for (i.e. before Christmas). Not all work exhibited is for sale & some pieces are accompanied by proposals for the future stories of these pieces. There's a Gallery Talk & a workshop in January also, check out Strule's programme for more details!

ANNAGHMAKERRIG

2008-11-18T22:44:00.005+01:00

Treated myself to a week in Annaghmakerrig, Co. Monaghan, adding finishing touches to my new show, Recollections. As the photos show, its a lovely place in a beautiful setting. I loved my studio space with a calm view of the lake. I managed to re-take some shots from my last visit (thank you Arts Committee Omagh) with my new camera (thank you ACNI), hopefully made some friends, ate great food . . . & left happy with the art work!!!

DRUMRAGH INTEGRATED COLLEGE, OMAGH

2008-11-18T21:51:00.003+01:00

Drumragh Integrated College decided to do things a little differently for Anti-Bully Week! I worked with KS3 pupils who were also on the school's Student's Council. After warm up exercises, improvisations & idea sharing, we started making some props. Cyber bullying came up a lot. We started to work out possible scenes practically. The creative process involved a lot of decision making by the pupils, from Years 8, 9 & 10, who all worked very well together.

We were joined by Post 16 Moving Image Arts students - the school planned to record the Black Light performance & integrate the DVD into PD lessons discussing the issue of bullying. Recording & editing in this light was new to the students & they rose to the challenge superbly - and very professionally.

The performance focused on 3 areas - the DVD may be posted on You Tube - I'll post a link if that happens - the 1st looked at feelings shared by a bully & their victim. The 2nd focused on the misuse of texting to threaten & bully someone. The last offered advice on handling bullying - IGNORE, TALK, LISTEN.

By Day 3, we had made everything, devised & rehearsed & finally performed to enthusiastic Year 10 pupils. I took some still photos which are now integrated into the school's Anti-Bully poster campaign (there are already some great ones around the school). Pupils have until the end of this week to devise a slogan for one of the UV posters.

A big thank you & well done to all the pupils who took part & all the staff who made the 3 days go so smoothly. And here's a tradition I'm happy to encourage - I left with lovely chocolates!!!

CORPUS CHRISTI COLLEGE May 2nd

2008-05-05T23:20:00.004+02:00

Myself & Declan Carville (amongst others) had been invited to Corpus Christi College in Belfast to work with some of the year 10 boys as part of the school's Book Fair. We both took emotions as our theme. The boys created some great prose with Declan & explored illustration via UV light with me.
This was my first visit to the school & I was made to feel really welcome - there were even tray-bakes! I really liked the art work up on the wall & was impressed by how staff & pupils got on so well.
Here's a peek at some of the art work created - all in a short space of time & all dealing with new media, methods & subjects - a very big well done to all the boys & thanks to them for all their creativity.
I hope to add some more images and some of the great writing created too.

3 DAY BOOK ! ! !

2008-04-27T18:29:00.006+02:00

A book???

3 Days???

Over 60 P6 pupils together???

Surely it can't be done???

Well, myself & Declan arrived at St Brendan's PS on a Monday morning, met all 60+ pupils and proceeded to put a book together - written and illustrated by the children.

On the 1st day, after spending time getting to know one another, Declan went through his top tips for writing and we all brainstormed and the ideas flew in. Then I talked about colour, mixing and moods, and we went through the pen & wash technique - this was new to all the boys and girls & they all created a self portrait. Look at the 1st 2 photos above.

Declan then came in & the brain cells were pushed hard and the story was decided upon and details added.

Now that the story was written - with lots of great visual references, I came in for a day and all of those characters and places and references had to be drawn - another busy day for the brain cells. Just look at the busy desk photographed above! We discussed some of the self portraits from Day 1 & got some tips from looking at them - most important was that the illustrations would all be in the pupil's own style. This time we were in Tandragee PS.

On the last day we completed any remaining illustrations, discussed title & wall paper, had a presentation from Sean about the design & printing process with some great questions from the pupils - definitely a few future business managers within the group - and even squeezed in a song about the schools coming together for this project!

Declan and myself have been busy behind the scenes supporting the 3 days we each had with the pupils. And now Sean will be busy putting it all together.

So - is it possible to create a book in 3 days???

Yes it is, but ask any P6 pupil from Tandragee PS or St Brendan's PS & they will all tell you that it's hard work! Good fun and hard work!!!

A big THANKYOU to all the staff and the pupils who made us so welcome and were a big part of making this project such an enjoyable experience.

CRICKEY !

2008-04-01T23:57:00.008+02:00

What do you get when you mix Declan Carville, Sean Lynch, Norma Burrowes, CYP and 2 P6 classes in Belfast . . ?

A Grrreat comic book / graphic novel with 5 stories all written and illustrated by the pupils, titled . . . CRICKEY!
We started with the stories. As these were developed, the artists had to make a start; so characters were identified and page contents broken down into character, action, setting and mood. Whilst details changed and new illustrations could be added, the essence of each character remained the same.
Towards the end of the pupils' process Sean Lynch came in with a mock up of the start of one of the stories - the pages looked fabulous! He explained his process and all the choices he had as a designer and all the different ways of telling a story visually.
Above are some of the original drawings created by P6 pupils using Pen and Wash - don't they look great?
More of the process and final book later . . .

PHOTOGRAPHIC PRINTS

2008-03-11T22:07:00.004+01:00

This is a peek at some of my photographic images - ideally they need to be experienced at full scale and printed to perfection via John in Sligo. Hopefully more soon on upcoming shows with Susan Glass and solo shows with new work. And what, you may ask, are they all about? Good question! Still working out the answer; here's one thought . . . I am drawn by the beauty and magic of a fleeting moment – and the power of truly being in it. And somehow through my photography I try to preserve the fleeting, the transient, the serendipitous moment where light and colour and perhaps a rain drop all converge to transform and reveal a visual celebration within our daily existence.

Dunseverick's Introductory Letters

2008-02-11T23:49:00.001+01:00

Whilst it can be said for all the photos taken of the puppet show, it is most fitting to say about the magical floating, pulsating, dancing letters that you had to be there to really appreciate the sheer, well, magic of it all. As Dunseverick had the largest class sizes out of all four schools, the class split into 2 groups. This group made large decorative letters to spell out the name of each school. Music was selected from each story sound track & a specific movement piece was devised & rehearsed by this group. Mrs McAllister rehearsed with this group a lot as there was a lot to remember - and they had the responsibility of starting the whole show off! It was worth it - the letters were a big hit!

A very big well done to all the letter puppeeteers and a much appreciated thanks to Mrs McAllister for all her hard work behind the scenes & to Zaneese for all of the wonderful making and continuous smile!

Dunseverick's Puppet Show

2008-02-11T23:30:00.001+01:00

Being so close to Rathlin, it is fitting that Dunseverick's show told the tale of a mermaid & a local farmer. The show starts under the sea with magical fish with flowing tails & changing stripes setting the scene for the beautiful mermaid with long hair flowing in the water (just how did the puppeteers manage this?). She & the farmer fall in love & usng magic her tail becomes legs! They are both very happy & the puppets dance to show how happy they are but the mermaid keeps thinking of the sea. In the end our love story has a sad ending as the mermaid realizes she misses the sea & returns there, never to have legs and join her farmer again. The performance ends with 2 broken halves of the heart tumbling slowly to the ground.

This show had a lot of different elements to it and some quite complex puppets to operate - both staff & pupils worked really hard to pull this off - which they did to great effect.
A very big well done & thank you to all 12 performers and staff. In particular thanks to Mrs McAllister for all the rehearsals, Zaneese for always appearing with the latest prop addition, Mr Henry for letting me use the hall, CD's, flats & all the staff for making me so welcome - and for sharing Christmas dinner with me!

Culcrow's Puppet Show

2008-02-11T23:04:00.001+01:00

Culrow told the tale of St Guaire rescuing the local townsfolk from a giant serpent that kept scaring them & disrupting their lives. In the puppet show, slinky puppets go about their daily routines accompanied by a song with words adapted by the pupils. Once in a while the giant snake appears and all the slinky puppets tremble! The townsfolk seek out St Guaire who uses his faith to banish the serpent into the Bann. In the puppet show this is represented by swirling, magic slinkies. With the serpent gone, the townsfolk, Saint & slinkies all have a boogie - really, no photo could do this dance justice - you had to be there on the night!

A very big thank you & well done to all 16 performers! Thanks to Mrs Barr & all of the staff for their ideas, dinner, coffee and overall relaxed atmosphere! And of course to Mrs Johnston for her continuous enthusiasm and choreography!

Ballytober's Puppet Show

2008-02-11T22:01:00.000+01:00

Ballytober told the tale of Robert the Bruce's legendary sojourn to Rathlin Island after numerous defeats in battle. The pupils added their own Ulster Scots twist to the battle scenes where sword swinging was accompanied with shouted insults such as 'ye big eejit' . . . Once in Rathlin, months passed & Robert watched a spider try & fail to build a web. He watched the spider try and try again & sure enough, eventually the spider succeeded !This inspired Robert the Bruce to return to Scotland - If at first you don't succeed, try & try again! All of the slinky puppets in this show had their very own hand woven kilt and tribal sword. The performance started very dramatically with slow motion warrior poses, almost as if they were appearing out of the mists of time. The school's dedicated pupils & staff arrived on the day of the performance with a few finishing details that looked fantastic. This show involved 13 performers, with a very busy props section!

A very big well done to all the pupils and a big thank you to them & the staff for all their hard work and attention to detail. A special thanks to Mrs Anderson for her very warm welcome & enthusiastic energy!

Cullycapple's Puppet Show

2008-02-11T21:34:00.000+01:00

"Cullycapple" translates into "horses' woods". This fact inspired a story by a past pupil that was printed in a book of stories by primary pupils from selected schools across Europe. There are local tales of ghost horses around Cullycapple and thus our spooky ghost tale of 2 Cullycapple pupils on a quest (dancing question marks) for inspiration in the local woods begins. As they continue to walk, the trees seem to follow them and the strangest birds you have ever seen sing - in very eerie voices! As the sinister atmosphere builds, the ghost horse the birds sang of looms above the pupils, finally scaring them away from the woods. For of- course, both trees and horses have all but disappeared and both 'cully' and 'capple' a fading memory.

This entire story was performed by 9 pupils only! The birds are, of-course, inspired by the wonderful Jim Henson. The leaves on the trees are all individually cut, painted & stuck on.

A very big well done to all the pupils and a warm thank you from me to them and the staff for all their hard work - in particular Mr Corscadden for his easy going & welcoming manner.

CYP Ulster Scots UV Puppetry

2008-01-21T21:33:00.000+01:00

Four Primary Schools are involved - Ballytober, Dunseverick, Cullycapple & Culcrow with the total numbers of pupils ranging from 38 - 130. Dr Bob Curran has visited all schools and shared stories with the pupils and inspired one and all. My job is to guide the pupils through the process of translating those tales into puppet shows - and introducing the magic of Black Light Theatre.

The double rainbow appeared on one of my planning visits - a good omen!

Imagine painting with glowing colours, sculpting with glowing card & assembling with glowing slinkies! That's what the P.5-7 pupils experienced making their puppets & props needed to tell their story.

After the story for each school was selected, a story map was created, plotting characters and main events of each story. puppets and props were created. A sound track was mixed combining pupils' voices and audio tracks. Pupils workshopped to get familiar with this style of puppetry & theatre and ideas & details were explored. The story was then rehearsed to the soundtrack.

The big performance will include all four schools, each with their own visual/movement introduction, in the Flowerfields Arts Centre, Portstewart at the end of this month. This 1 performance will include 60 performers!

More on each story later . . .

A big thank you to all the schools for making me so welcome!

UV VISUAL WORKSHOP - Cards Completed

2008-01-07T10:31:00.001+01:00

After only a few weeks, all the UV artwork was completed - painting, collage & plasticine relief - all to stunning effect. Photos of this work were then converted into card format & a very unique set of Christmas cards was created.
Our last session added that final touch - such beautiful cards deserved a very beautifully crafted message inside. So, using oil pastels and a steady hand, colour co-ordinated messages were printed inside the cards.
This project easily included people with no experience of art and those who were experienced. Those unsure of their hidden talents could relax with the glowing materials in the UV light and the soothing tunes in the background. Those with art experience had the chance to experience something new & push their skills in a different context. Alongside producing a very strong set of cards, each workshop ended with comments about how relaxing the 2 hours were - great!
A big thank you to Pheme for recommending me & Rena for her organization and to all the artists who took part in the project - Sylvia, Olive, Elaine, Lily, Lila, Valarie, Dorrie & Margaret - Congrats!

Tingatinga Masks

2007-11-22T02:18:00.000+01:00

Art when teaching in Mwanza, Tanzania.

This is one of many projects when teaching in TZ. The school is quite small, giving the teacher the luxury of more contact time.
- Pupil's started out with tonal studies of animals & after studying an art style specific to Tanzania, though new to most pupils, and perfecting this painting style, masks were constructed using papier mache, paper & card sculpting.
- - The highlight had to be taking the masks to a Zanzibar school trip. We performed some masked dramas on the beach & spotted lots of Tingatinga paintings in Stonetown.
  - - I love Tingatinga paintings! Yes it is a tourist driven style, though as with any form of art, there's a range of talent within the style. I was lucky enough to catch a big exhibition in Dar es salaam with great examples of colourful, decorative flora & fauna - the local environment with a little dollop of fantasy thrown in - check out the link!
  - - More tanzanian school art projects to follow!

UV VISUAL WORKSHOP

2007-11-18T22:36:00.000+01:00

I'm working with a group of older people in the Hospital Road Community Centre, Omagh. We're creating visual art in a darkened space lit only with UV light.
This means all of the art materials glow, paper, paint . . . creating a relaxed, magical atmosphere and safe space to explore new skills.
As you can see, we 're working with Christmas in mind. Painting, collage & relief dough, all glowing in the UV light, are photographed - in the light - and these images will be used to make very unique, striking & contemporary cards.
The craic to date has been mighty - there was a 70th birthday celebrant at the 1st workshop - and everyone is game to try something new and support each other - and share quite a few stories as we go!
I've been keen for some time now to work with the UV workshops, be it visual or puppetry, with story telling in mind. I feel that this medium could be a great vehicle to pass stories across the generations.

Bi Focal Preview Night

2007-11-07T17:33:00.001+01:00

So, after many decisions, much planning & a first time experience of hanging a show, Bi Focal was finally ready to be viewed. As you can see, some images were framed, others were wall mounted without a frame.

Susan & myself were pleased at how both bodies of work came together as a complete exhibition. What's great about a preview night is the social aspect & hearing many insights into your work you may never had considered! And of course, the chance to sell!

Both of us challenge what is expected from the word 'photograph'. And whilst images are digitally captured, we both tend to keep to traditional methods. So the creative image is captured through the lens.

Images will be detailed on the up & coming - eagerly anticipated - website:

www.vividlogicarts.com

Thanks to Strule, in particular Mickey for his practical help and calm aura & Jean for her lovely words. Thanks to Niall for his design work. Thanks to my brother for his inspired exhibition title. Also thanks to all who showed up. It can be a very solitary thing, making images to be hung on a wall; it was great to see them all amidst wine glasses, chat & laughter.

Poetic Photography . . .

2007-09-12T11:44:00.000+02:00

Please click on the image below to read the poem easily!

The young boy is also the poet; both are my Father.

His poems gently capture a time past, that though past, is still relevant today.

Poetic Photography . . .

2007-09-12T11:17:00.001+02:00

BLACK LIGHT THEATRE !

2007-09-10T17:40:00.001+02:00

So, what is Black Light Theatre?

Well . . . I welcome you into a magical space where your imagination becomes reality!

Using a blacked-out space, UV light and specialist materials (with your own creativity of-course) - anything can happen - fish changing colour, stars dance with the moon; just check out the photos and video. (To hopefully follow soon!)

This simple combination gives vibrant, exciting and magical results - I love it!

The photos have been taken during 2 different performances, each project was with a different friend, Bernie & then Karen, and the performers were a group of adults with special needs.

Anything can happen with UV! These bright body puppets can walk and dance, unaided, the Celtic angel floated across the stage leading a host of others, the balloons and ribbons made incredible ethereal shapes and - naturally - defied gravity, Frosty the Snowman came to life and stars punctuated the sky to the beat of the music and even double somersaulted!

I have found using UV and Black Light Theatre techniques to be very inclusive of all skills, abilities and needs and it really does add it own magic to any workshop or performance. Please do feel free to contact me for more info or to book a workshop . . .

Saved

Patchwork Photography

2007-09-06T17:17:00.002+02:00

This piece measures 5' x 5' (150cm x 150cm) and is made out of pieces of cotton.

I've printed my photographs onto cotton and patchworked them with batiki from Tanzania.

Patchwork and photographs are both used to preserve our memories. Combining photographs with textile techniques allows a great narrative to weave through the photos, ideally invoking curiosity in the viewer.

This is a medium I am enjoying exploring further. I'm loving the combination of photo and fabric and the inclusion of memory and also layers (when patchwork panels are back-lit), playing with 1st impressions and maybe adding a new view point to a narrative.

This media has great potential for story telling workshops, for all age groups, and can lead into a contemporary product with traditional skills.

1st Blog!

2007-09-06T16:18:00.000+02:00

This was taken last year during a stay at Annaghmakerrig, Monaghan.

It's to be included in an exhibition I am sharing with Susan Glass at the Strule Arts Centre in Omagh, mid-October this year. When visiting or actually when taking photos in general, I tend to end up with macro details that give little clue to my whereabouts; though which can only come from that time and space. My hope is that they take on their own identity . . .