FIELD NOTES

I have just finished these two enamelled note books

Both are 4ins x 2.5ins and made of steel.

This size gives me an ideal opportunity to experiment with the enamel and the photo resist film I am using to achieve the sand blasted images in the work.

ENAMEL - ENAMEL

The finishing touches have been made, I am particularly pleased with the sand blasted moth details, not quite through to the metal. It gives a lovely grainy, mat surface to the enamel. I have also sandblasted the enamel away on the back of the piece.

Now I have finish the concertina book I am now turning my energies onto developing the spiral bound note books. This is the first experiment.

About 3ins x 2ins, this book is made of steel and uses a variety of enamel techniques

Again I am exploring sandblasting images into the enamel surface.

The Twenty Twenty Gallery at Much Wenlock, Shropshire has just taken delivery of these beetle spoons, it is a lovely gallery and Much Wenlock is a great place for a day out.

SKETCH BOOK EXPERIMENTS

Back to the sketch book to plan a set of spiral note books in steel and enamel. Planning to keep them simple, uncluttered and 3"x 2".

A GRAND DAY OUT

The lovely Mr Brown dragged me out of the studio for an airing yesterday.
Where did we go? Looks like Italy, but no it was Birmingham.

Lots of public art, this Gormley for instance and this

striking painting on the side of a building. We spent most of the day in

the Museum and Art Gallery where there is an exquisite, free exhibition of da Vinci drawings.

I love the Martin Ware and there is also a beautiful collection of Ruskin Pottery, mouth watering colours.

Very Venice, not sure what this was about but a random photo shoot was taking place in the Museum.

Refreshed by my outing, I am now back at work in the studio.

ON GOING ENAMEL

You didn't think I would leave the metal blank did you,it's not that I can't leave well alone, but when I plan and draw something I do like to see it develop and appear in the flesh.

Minimal is not in my nature, but I would love to have that light, spare touch.This piece is not finished, I have just a few more transfers to attach and then sand blast some shapes into the enamelled surface.

WORK IN PROGRESS

And so it begins, the steel is cut and the hinges work, the spot welding is done

and the grip coat has been fired on without a hitch. The piece looks pristine, I like the simplicity and at a pinch I would leave it at that. What makes us go on? Often to over work something or create technical problems that more firings will produce. I would like to think that it is the explorer in me?

I came across this saying posted on http://www.artpropelled.blogspot.com/

"Lightly child, lightly. Learn to do everything lightly. Even though you're feeling deeply, lightly let things happen, and lightly cope with them on tip toes and with no luggage, completely unencumbered".

Aldous Huxley

I know it's not like me to post deep and meaningful, but this struck a cord and I hope to act upon it with this piece of work... well I will try!

MAKING A START

The work desk of my studio looks very different these days, covered in tools and bits of metal.

I always think it is intriguing to see how projects begin

and this is the start of another concertina book...watch this space!