When someone said my work reminded them of Rose Wylie…
Projekt Rattloch — Week 10 🐀🕳️
6 days until Memento vivere
Welcome to Project Rattloch: Week 10.
Negar Kamali asked me a couple of questions, so I’ll answer them here.
Q1. After seeing an artwork, have you ever told yourself, "This is way beyond my level. I can't do it."?
SLART: Yes, all the time. I try to stop that thought as soon as it appears by shifting my focus. Comparison really is the thief of joy. Measuring your worth against someone else’s work, or looking at an artwork and thinking I can’t do that, only creates unnecessary limits in your own mind.
If you feel an urge to improve in a way that excites you, then pursue it. For me, it is far more rewarding to stay in my own lane and paint in my own style. That is when I am happiest. I do not feel the need to master realism, though I am open to letting my style evolve. At the end of the day, if I do not enjoy the process, I am simply not going to do it.
Q2. Have you ever tried doing any sort of meditation?
SLART: I have practised meditation on and off for about 15 years, but I am not a regular meditator. The thing about meditation is that I know I will feel calmer even after just stopping and pausing for five to ten minutes. It is like letting the dust settle in a snow globe. Still, the mind always wants to stay busy, so it’s a game of having enough awareness to know that you need to slow down, to even begin to meditate.
I made quite a funny cock-up because I sent items to Maria Balshaw, Director of the Tate, to get her attention for Memento Vivere, but this time I ordered a frame myself and sent it to her by accident. I was pissed off at first, but I had to laugh, as it would be more of a hassle trying to get it back. Maybe it's the thing that will get her attention; perhaps the Tate Modern will use it as conceptual art.
I’m going to be in the November edition of New Escapologist, so make sure you buy a copy, Robert Wringham is your man. newescapologist.co.uk
Rob kindly invited me to write about Project Rattloch, and of course, I jumped at the chance to share what I’m doing and to be in such an incredible publication!
Swindon Paint Fest 2025 happened, and it was such a buzz.
It was a welcome break from planning Memento vivere, losing myself in painting for 5 hours, with periods of socialising in between!
This is my tribute to the woman behind The Mona Lisa.
I added a little nod to Super Sucklord here…
I glued on a skull that was made from a mould I bought from him in 2021.
For context, here’s the unboxing of the mystery box I bought for $100…
(I was sick with kidney failure, just started dialysis, and my voice was really affected, in hindsight)
Adam Crosland popped along and said, “I like it, you know what? Your work reminds me of Rose Wylie’s”. The name rang a bell, but I couldn’t quite recall.
That’s a huge compliment; she’s a prolific and accomplished painter!
I then realised that I was drawn to her work in 2022, during a trip with my wife to Bruges, I saw a flyer that she was exhibiting in Ghent, which was nearby, but I didn’t get a chance to go there.
This was the piece that drew me to her work. The exhibition ‘Rose Wylie picky people notice...,’
I actually thought this one was a lot like Adam Crosland’s work…
Despite all the joy I had during Swindon Paint Fest, and the lovely compliment, these two pesky comments below stuck with me…
I felt like replying, ranting, being rational with them, trying to persuade them, and worst of all, I wanted to be self-deprecatory and call myself the ‘dubious artist’. But you know what? It’s a waste of my and their time, I’ll make more art instead.
I’ll use that feeling I have to create more art.
I suggest you do the same.
And if you need another nudge, listen to Rose Wylie.
“When you’re an artist, you don’t have to do what you’re told to do… There are no rules. I just come in and do something, and then I put it on the top. When it really starts to get under my feet, when I can’t work, I’ll move it. Otherwise I enjoy it. It’s liberating.”
Best wishes,
P.S. Thank you.
Previous Project Rattloch posts:
Have fun!
Thank you. That is such a nice way to end. Thank you! This is fascinating. Rose's work really does resonate with yours. I can't wait for MV! Plus, you are getting so popular! Negar and New Escapologist. Was there any video of you at Swindon Paint Fest? Andy is so right.