Finding my artistic freedom, AKA letting go of expectations

Weekly Art Practice #17. On a roll, baby!

Author’s Note: Every Saturday I share my art practice over the past 7 days. I'm fascinated by artistic practice – it's not just about creating art but the entire process. From influences and ideas to materials and skills, each artist's unique approach shapes their work, making it more than just a finished piece.

Thank you,

SLART

P.S. If this piece is too long for email, you can read it here in Substack. Or download the app.

Thank you for joining me in my art practice for this week.

As you may have seen in my other W.A.P posts (Cardi B Ruined the Accronym, I prefer Wireless Application Protocol, remember that from late nineties mobile phones? No, just me?? 🤓) I started experimenting with Orange and Blue at the start of 2024. This has now combined with my love of figures and faces to create a new series around the phrase “Trespasso” (Thanks

Beth Raps

for the wisdom, I always learn so much talking with you).

So I’ve had some really good studio sessions this week. Trust me, for those with kids, who work a full-time day job and/or have little time to make art, MAKE THAT TIME. Going to work early by an hour has helped so much over the past 2 weeks plus I took 1/2 day off this Friday to paint with an old friend, Mark. He was in my A-level art class back in 1998.

So, on Wednesday, I had a lovely painting session. You can watch it on YouTube or I’ve done a timelapse if you don’t want to watch the full video.

Timelapse:

The Friday session this week felt timeless. I left the day job at 11:30am on the absolute dot, went home, had lunch with my wife and baby, then my mate picked me up at 1pm to go to the studio. Having up to 6.5 hours of unadulterated studio time was absolutely incredible, I tell you!

I have a fridge in my studio that’s currently 1/2 stocked with lager left over from previous exhibitions, so I thought I’d have a couple of cans, put some music on, and just let go of my inhibitions. We painted away for hours and I was actually out of steam after 4 hours, from feeling not quite 100% and and not having much sleep the night before. This is what came from the session.

3rd May 2024 Studio Sesh with Mark.

I made a start on the large canvas roll, it’s been waiting for me for about 3 months. So I created another Trespasso piece, work in progress! Watch this space.

Here’s what Mark created, he’s definately got the knack!

Mark's paintings.

I love the playfulness of his paintings, it’s quite cool having a piece of art depicting my studio, as I’d never really be interested in doing that unless it was for a particular project.

Lastly, I am going to have an exhibition at Food Space in Swindon. I just love transforming different venues into its own art exhibition space, this will be a one-off evening event this summer. I got the idea from Sketch in London, as they have different artists that take over the place with their art and decor. Here’s the Food Space Venue:

I’ve invited an artist colleague Paul Eardley to exhibit with me, as he does a lot of light and hanging sculpture work, I think we’ll fit in well together.

Thanks for listening.

Best wishes,

SLART

P.S. Please kindly share this post, positive Karma and Blessings will be bestowed upon you! If you’re not into Karma, the person whom you share this with will think you’re cool because you know me, the World’s Greatest Artist!*

*That’s what my mum said anyway.