is_Love_enough?

Love is enough, a show curated for Modern Art Oxford, attempts to draw parallels between two seemingly unrelated artists of different eras and worlds, Andy Warhol and William Morris.

Intrigued, I had to see this for myself. I couldn't comprehend the two personalities together.

There is a running theme of 'tapestry' and printing, both artists were printmakers, one of the silkscreen, the other wood blocks, and both believed, for different reasons, that art should belong in the everyday, using the process of making art itself as a way to mass produce their work.

Whilst Morris became decidedly a socialist with his inherent beliefs in the making and enjoyment of art for all people, Warhol believed in 'Commonism' bringing his work into popularity through the masses, on his lifelong quest for fame.

Other than by trade, the two artists don't really co-ordinate, however, it is useful sometimes to contemplate the ridiculous, in order to provoke thoughts and generate ideas.... In this sense, this show really worked.

"animals get diseases, but only man falls radically into sickness"

This quote comes from a book, which I have not read, but heard several references to before: The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat.

It stuck with me because of its evident truth; that humans are the only living creature who have to deal with mental illness. With the great power of our minds, comes the responsibility that many of us don't even realise we have, to keep them healthy.

And whilst I can't even begin to go into the complexities of the mind, I believe it is important for everyone to have an outward expression of thoughts and feelings, through sharing. Whether its written, spoken, painted or performed, to have a creative outlet in which to express yourself is freedom, and is the beginning to the freedom of the mind.

To let go of the negative and openly accept the positive, is something of a struggle, for certain. But it is a struggle that can only take us to a healthier, happier place.

drawn from life

Have you ever wished to live inside a painting?

As part of an ongoing project, I am exploring our perceptions of space in a reverse process to the conventional, by painting onto real objects to create the illusion of a flat drawing. In placing them back into their original surroundings, the resulting dialogue questions our ideas of reality.

Or so I hope. I have attempted to implement the graphical style of tattoos, and was inspired by the creative process of Alexa Meade, whose work is fascinating!

So, I leave you with the thought… if you could live in any painting, which one would you choose? Why?

beauty is in the eye - or the ear or the heart -

Sometimes you don't have to look to find something beautiful, it's there in the voice of someone who understands you, it's there in a hug of someone who cares about you, and it's there everytime you breathe in the air that keeps us all alive.

swan lake - cafe del mar

I have always found the elegance of ballet dancers to be inspiring; their movements spirited. When I first heard this modern remix of the classic Swan Lake, it became my new favourite piece of music! The percussion instruments are what make it most striking, as if it were designed to be performed as a tribal dance. Don't you think?

Above is a painted illustration I did of Natalie Portman's character in Black Swan. I hope you like it!

the month of ramadan

Everywhere the world over, Muslims have been observing the month of Ramadan and the fasting that comes with it. The practice of fasting teaches you to be more patient, and opens your eyes to what you take for granted every day. What we are left with is our strength of character, and a chance to work out what changes we can make to improve the small part of the world around us. 

How can you reach out to those around you?

take a walk in the forest...

Forests hold so many secrets; they are true places for inspiration. And I have always admired how they look completely different in different places in the world. They have their own personalities, like people. Always a source of mystery and exploration for the curious.

How do forests make you feel?

happiness is a way of travel; not a destination

Life has its ups and downs, but you can try and keep steady by working through it with a smile on your face