I wish time was elastic I want more solid making time. Very happy to start the last day of 2012 with blueberry pancakes, and spending the last day of 2012 making art finishing with friends and tequila.
Getting there- 60 from 250?
Number 18 is complete I don't know that I am going to complete number 20 by the end of tomorrow evening but I am pushing at it. Number 19 was started at midnight last night, feels exciting to be making progress at least starting to get there for this stage.
I wish time was elastic I want more solid making time. Very happy to start the last day of 2012 with blueberry pancakes, and spending the last day of 2012 making art finishing with friends and tequila.
I wish time was elastic I want more solid making time. Very happy to start the last day of 2012 with blueberry pancakes, and spending the last day of 2012 making art finishing with friends and tequila.
Stage 1 to the year end......20 objects
This year has been very up and down I terms of the time I have been able to carve out for art making. I have been working on 60 from 250? project for over a year and a half and I needed to gain momentum and therefore I set out in November when get truly back into the swing of it to complete 20 vessel objects by the end of 2012. Knowing that I have a Christmas break from my day job I had a great chance, it is going to be close and it has meant that my break has been based on the sofa twisting and winding and stitching. Apart from eating turkey, mince pies and drinking coffee baileys. It is going to be close and I hope to feel all the better for the big commitment to art, some sense of momentum and some serious making time( which is always the best Christmas present).
Maybe it will be worthwhile
These objects are time consuming and often frustrating. Right now, I am determined to keep the momentum I have developed in the last 6 weeks and complete 20 of the objects by 31st December 2012. This will allow me to reflect in January on the work, look the collective objects at a decent development point, until then I will be twisting, wrapping and winding.......
Completed object vessel No.15
routines - an hour every day
Committment for this week is at least to spend an hour a day on art practice. The crazy thing is I love love making and working at my art practice just life, new home, new routines and a huge amount of procrastination has got in the way.
Sunday, done! And now the hard work begins.
Inspired by Austin Kleon, I have boxes to tick each day.
Frank the puppy
Welcome to my world Frank the mini Yorkshire Terrier Puppy. He is super tiny and super full of mischief and love. This has been on life list for at least 7 years, featured in wedding vows and now we finally have a puppy in our lives.
He is super cute and brings much joy to the our new home. It also helps me to spend less hours at the office which is a blessing. Still lots of training to be done, lots of learning for both me, the boy and Frank.
I am also enjoying how much joy he brings to other people, such a pleasure to be a part of.
Two items crossed of my list of things I wanted to do in my life - yeah!
Welcome to Olympics
I live in London town, a place taken over by the 5 rings and I must admit I fell asleep last night watching the opening ceremony. I am desperately trying to not to be an Olympic Grinch. I lived in Sydney in 2000 and loved it and had a ball, am I just older and more cynical or do I live in a different world now where inequalities are shown to me everyday, when I know life is so tough for so many on an daily basis. So I am now keeping my mouth zipped and let people make of it what they want, take the goodness and leave the rest.
So the most inspired I have been is the infographics created by Gustavo Sousa to look behind the pomp and circumstance.
'stripped-down statistics from each region through simple scale shifts of
the tournament’s iconic quintet of overlapping loops. The rings
represent healthy competition and union, but we know the world isn’t
perfect. Maybe understanding the differences is the first step to try to
make things more equal.'
Discovered via Fast Company Design
Check out the full article
If money wasn't an issue
I have list that helps me focus on what I really want when I don't limit myself to the practicalities of working and earning money to pay for life. I do need this list as often even when a great thing maybe about to happen I can opt for the safe option, I am so conditioned to give in or compromise, not to anyone in particular just life and the world. That voice kicks in of be sensible, be practical la la la la and on and on. So I am delighted to say that in the last few weeks that a few items have been ticked sometimes in rebellion to my own reluctance, so much that in the last few days I have felt a little overwhelmed with the goodness. I need to find new places for all the greatness. So strange really that when you receive what you truly want it can be a challenge in itself.
Thank you world for persevering even when I would find it easier to walk away.
Thank you world for persevering even when I would find it easier to walk away.
New work 60 from 250?
As part of my ongoing work into my own cultural identity, showing new work at Open Studios this weekend.
Come along if your are in London town
Bow Arts
SE1 5SF
46 Willow Walk
Fri night 6-9:30pm
Sat+Sun 12-6pm
Come along if your are in London town
Bow Arts
SE1 5SF
46 Willow Walk
Fri night 6-9:30pm
Sat+Sun 12-6pm
Inspiration - Claire Watson
Inspiration to the maximum, Claire Watson.
I am always looking for artists that work with textiles to make sculpture. I need to learn, be inspired and reference what is happening it the broader art universe. I then search among the few to find artists who utilise worn clothing as their material. Here I discovered the inspiration of Claire Watson.
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| Claire Watson Copyright 2012 |
the fabulous Mr Snelgrove makes fabulous New Eden
Dear Blog Universe,
New Eden follows the adventures of bickering odd couple
Murray and Hamilton, two starship crewmen marooned and fighting for
their lives on a primordial world after their starship crash lands on
the wrong planet!
Can't wait for more.....
thanks Queenie for 4 days
I live in London and no I am not in Jubilation mode except that I thank Queenie very much for working for 60 years so that I could have 4 days just to catch up with myself.
My day job to the max
+ plus making some life plans
+ plus trying to see man on tour
+ inlaws here from Australia
+ frustration that art hasn't been front and centre
= Amanda in the clingon stage.
So much relieved to climb down from the cliff face on these 4 days and notice that am breathing and human and to sleep and eat what I like, to do what I want, and to watch and make into the lovely hours of the evening.
I can't say it has been an easy 4 days as Friday night my head was in work buzz, Saturday and Sunday to really feel my toes again. Stage 2 - working not to beat myself up for giving myself over so much. Stage 3 - reflection on being in the midpoint of the year move on to new space where I I go pick up all the pieces and move towards what I know is really important to me.
On to the highlight of the month - very exciting news, it was worth a midnight application in the edges of time from day job, I have been selected for the Bow Arts Open show in the Bermondsey Project Space- super YEAH!!
Bow Arts Open 2012: Bow Arts Open Show
Date:
Friday, June 29, 2012 to Saturday, July 14, 2012
Private View:
Friday, June 29, 2012 - 18:00
Opening Hours:
Friday 6 - 10pm, Saturday & Sunday 12 - 6pm
Address:
Bermondsey Project Space,
Unit 7,
Rich Industrial Estate,
Willow Walk,
SE1 5SF.
Our annual group exhibition showcasing original work from across Bow Arts' diverse artist community.
This year's show is curated by Bob & Roberta Smith, Skye Sherwin
(Arts writer, Guardian), Emilie Faure (White Cube) and Rosamond Murdoch
(The Nunnery).
Terra nullius
When James Cook sailed on the east coast of Australia in 1770 he named it New South Wales.
As the interior was explored and mapped, squatters and free settlers followed eager to take up land. Where ever Europeans went Aboriginal people were pushed from their home lands.
When John Batman, one of the pioneers in the founding of Victoria, first settled at Port Phillip, he made an attempt to buy the land from the Aboriginal people through a treaty. New South Wales Governor, Sir Richard Bourke, effectively quashed the treaty with this Proclamation issued by the Colonial Office and sent to the Governor with Despatch 99 of 10 October 1835. Its publication in the Colony meant that from then, all people found occupying land without the authority of the government would be considered illegal trespassers.
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke implemented the doctrine of terra nullius upon which British settlement was based, reinforcing the notion that the land belonged to no one prior to the British Crown taking possession of it. Aboriginal people therefore could not sell or assign the land, nor could an individual person acquire it, other than through distribution by the Crown.
Although many people at the time also recognised that the Aboriginal occupants had rights in the lands (and this was confirmed in a House of Commons report on Aboriginal relations in 1837), the law followed and almost always applied the principles expressed in Bourke’s proclamation. This would not change until the Australian High Court’s decision in the Eddie Mabo Case in 1992. 1
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke, 10 October 1835 is historically significant. It implemented the doctrine of terra nullius upon which British settlement was based, reinforcing the notion that the land belonged to no one prior to the British Crown taking possession of it.
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke has research value in the study of British settlement of Australia, the legal principle of ‘terra nullius’ and dispossession. The Proclamation of Governor Bourke, 10 October 1835 contains evidence of the construction of the legal principle of ‘terra nullius’ upon which the British settlement was based.
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke has intangible significance as evidence of the changing migration patterns on Australia in the early 19th century and the demands for land. It provides a powerful symbol of the British Government’s control of social and land policy in Australia and the dispossession of the Aboriginal people.
As the interior was explored and mapped, squatters and free settlers followed eager to take up land. Where ever Europeans went Aboriginal people were pushed from their home lands.
When John Batman, one of the pioneers in the founding of Victoria, first settled at Port Phillip, he made an attempt to buy the land from the Aboriginal people through a treaty. New South Wales Governor, Sir Richard Bourke, effectively quashed the treaty with this Proclamation issued by the Colonial Office and sent to the Governor with Despatch 99 of 10 October 1835. Its publication in the Colony meant that from then, all people found occupying land without the authority of the government would be considered illegal trespassers.
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke implemented the doctrine of terra nullius upon which British settlement was based, reinforcing the notion that the land belonged to no one prior to the British Crown taking possession of it. Aboriginal people therefore could not sell or assign the land, nor could an individual person acquire it, other than through distribution by the Crown.
Although many people at the time also recognised that the Aboriginal occupants had rights in the lands (and this was confirmed in a House of Commons report on Aboriginal relations in 1837), the law followed and almost always applied the principles expressed in Bourke’s proclamation. This would not change until the Australian High Court’s decision in the Eddie Mabo Case in 1992. 1
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke, 10 October 1835 is historically significant. It implemented the doctrine of terra nullius upon which British settlement was based, reinforcing the notion that the land belonged to no one prior to the British Crown taking possession of it.
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke has research value in the study of British settlement of Australia, the legal principle of ‘terra nullius’ and dispossession. The Proclamation of Governor Bourke, 10 October 1835 contains evidence of the construction of the legal principle of ‘terra nullius’ upon which the British settlement was based.
The Proclamation of Governor Bourke has intangible significance as evidence of the changing migration patterns on Australia in the early 19th century and the demands for land. It provides a powerful symbol of the British Government’s control of social and land policy in Australia and the dispossession of the Aboriginal people.
comparing my insides to someone else outsides
The danger of blogs and the internet is like a really big version of comparing our insides to someone else outsides. A mistake most of us make and it is lesson I try to remember, when that person looks like they have a great life, they have it all together etc etc etc doesn't mean that is how they feel about. The pain of wanting to be somebody else...... I do this far less often these days(thank goodness), and sometimes when I look at blogs, and artists online I want what they have got. It is a really bad version of the same dis-ease only much bigger because everyone can edit and portray whatever they want on the web as their outside.
And then we have the amazing people who lay it on the line everyone now and then, or maybe all the time. When they are honest about how they feel, or what is happening for them. So even when they have the life I want they make it survivable so I can recall that we are mortal.
And then we have the amazing people who lay it on the line everyone now and then, or maybe all the time. When they are honest about how they feel, or what is happening for them. So even when they have the life I want they make it survivable so I can recall that we are mortal.
routines & mistakes
There is something great about disliking what your making that helps me take risks that take you to a greater place than you had planned or imagined.
Saturday was first time back in the studio for 3 weeks and I was tired, questioning my work that has been in progress for 12 months. So I just started working on some small works on card particularly the ones I didn't like and so was playing and something really lovely happened..... A surprise that led me down a interesting path. It feels a joy to be surprised and find my way back to the routines of making.
I have no idea how I would survive this world without having my art to make.
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| from the iphone a mistake I like |
Thank you
Thank you world for everything right now even the difficult. This photo is taken on route via train Edinburgh to work and play while staying with the boy for a week.
Did I say I love train travel....
And my new iPad
And guardian online
And Leon superfood salads
And personal hotspots via iPhones
And Edinburgh
And the flat we are staying in
And just about everything
Did I say I love train travel....
And my new iPad
And guardian online
And Leon superfood salads
And personal hotspots via iPhones
And Edinburgh
And the flat we are staying in
And just about everything
Red Ball - Inspirations
Discovered Kurt Perschke Red Ball Project which is completely great. I also thought his interview was really interesting about his process and that of being an artist.
RedBall Project is a global art project by Kurt Perschke that exists as a series of temporary installations in a city over a few weeks. The work has taken place in places such as Barcelona, Taipei, Chicago, Toronto, and England among others. This film was created by the artist, who was later smart enough to get pro friends to help. So its early and rough, it literally is 'actions', or reactions.
As I consider could I install some of my work outside this man takes that idea to the maximum, taking the inspiration to another level. He talks about how sculpture wants to make you touch the work and feel it and that is something I think that is a really big compliment but how do you tackle that when you work isn't really built to withstand it?
Looking forward to it coming to England in Summer.
Inspiration via Ray Bradbury
"Books are smart and brilliant and wise. Love what you do and do what you love. Don’t listen to anyone else who tells you not to do it. You do what you want, what you love. Imagination should be the center of your life.”
via Brain Picking
60 from 250? more about the work
This work is a long term project researching into the languages that were spoken in Australia before invasion and colonisation, as part of my overall study of what it means to be a white non indigenous Australian. How many languages were spoken in Australia? How many languages are left? What does language mean anyway?
Updated my thoughts on my research on my website.
Exhibition - 60 from 250?
Thanks to Jenny Thorburn my current work 60 from 250? had an opportunity to be shown in a textiles exhibition in Upstairs Gallery Berkhamsted, England. It is still so new to me to show my work and so always exciting to share something with the world and just see if there is any reaction.
3 vessels were shown on a plinth which somehow really worked. Now I can't wait to have the growing work shown as more vessels are complete. Having some work in a gallery was a great start to my year and I hope it is a sign of things to come.
Australia's hidden history
Discovered via the oneness project an interviews that sheds a little light on Australia's hidden history, the personal experience of colonisation. This video is a good reminder why I am trying to tackle my homelands ugly history as part my work.
I find it difficult to hear the impact of white Australia, being a white non indigenous Australian myself and therefore very important.
I find it difficult to hear the impact of white Australia, being a white non indigenous Australian myself and therefore very important.
inspiration for materiality
though not really a word materiality..... in my current work 60 from 250? I am always seeking to push the limits of my fabric wind and weave technique. Each time I look to change or push something just a degree more. I love looking for the limits and look forward to seeing all the many versions that will happen.
And today via Jealous Curator I found the most wonderful inspiration for pushing material limits, an artist Margie Livingston who makes paintings as sculptures. Margie's work jumped out at me as I looked and wondered and was touched, even through a screen.
Then Margie did something very generous on her website.... a video where she talks to us the viewer about her process, I am hooked and well worth 9mins of your life.
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| Margie Livingston
Study for spiral block #2
2010
Acrylic
5.75 x 6 x 6 inches
|
Then Margie did something very generous on her website.... a video where she talks to us the viewer about her process, I am hooked and well worth 9mins of your life.
it is all about the audience by Marcel
... the creative act is not performed by the artist alone; the spectator brings the work in contact with the external world by deciphering and interpreting its inner qualifications and thus adds his contribution to the creative act
Marcel Duchamp, The Creative Act, 1957
Marcel Duchamp, The Creative Act, 1957
My new hero - Riley on marketing
Via Sarah Maple (by the way an artist I just discovered and very worthwhile checking out) this very inspirational video. I think Riley should take over and rule the world.
Royal mail did deliver
Feb 8 (2 days ago)
 | | |||
Dear Amanda Carmichael,
Thanks for sending in your project for The Sketchbook Project: 2012! We just wanted to let you know that your project has now been cataloged into the Brooklyn Art Library! It can be found on the shelves with a call number of 143L.2-3.
Please stay tuned for more details about the project.
Sincerely,
The Art House Librarian Robot
Art House Co-op
www.arthousecoop.com
Thanks for sending in your project for The Sketchbook Project: 2012! We just wanted to let you know that your project has now been cataloged into the Brooklyn Art Library! It can be found on the shelves with a call number of 143L.2-3.
Please stay tuned for more details about the project.
Sincerely,
The Art House Librarian Robot
Art House Co-op
www.arthousecoop.com
It arrived in the Brooklyn ,USA - MY SKETCHBOOK 'i remember you'. I did meet the deadline of posting my sketchbook on 31st Jan. I didn't make it year 1, first attempt, so really glad I got it across the line in 2012 it was certainly touch and go with the illness that dogged many of my weeks in January.
| This little sketch book is the end of an era, the book end to my flags and work with memories and saying good bye to Dad. |
The Sketchbook 2012 World Tour is an unofficial way to have a little of my art be shown in America and then a mini exhibition tour in different countries - if you are in any of these locations below maybe you can check it out.
If you visit you can ask for me in the stacks with a with a call number of 143L.2-3.
Soon you will be able to visit my virtual sketchbook online....
- Brooklyn, NY
- Chicago, IL
- Portland, OR
- Vancouver, Canada
- Los Angeles, CA
- San Francisco, CAJune 2nd-June 23rd
Pop-Up Shop
- Greater Boston Area
- Portland, ME
- Toronto, Canada
- Philadelphia, PA
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Melbourne, Australia*
- London, England*
Pursuit of happiness
Since forever, or that I means I don't know when I didn't think this, 'I just wanted to be happy'. There were moments when I had grand plans of what I thought would make me happy but really underneath everything when push came to shove my decision was I just wanted to be happy. This has meant when I didn't know which path to take, which step to make it was tough. I didn't have a clear framework or guide about wanting to be famous, or rich or chef or something specific I wanted a bit of everything and to be taller as well..
I wanted to be happy not because I want to bliss out and live in a hippy love world, more because it was in short supply when I was a little person. I guess I have always known from experience that life can be hard that it can break your heart and so I just wanted to be happy. On many days now, I have those moments I am incredibly grateful for life and feel incredibly lucky that the cards have fallen my way.Just like I have won the lottery that my life can be filled with so much good stuff. I still wonder how did I get here.....
Look some people would see my life as a little crazy, too full, too hard - I work too much; I don't sleep enough; I have time consuming art projects that suck all my time but in the end it is how i got to this point. I still feel bewildered that I got here really, that I don't have the tears that used to flow too often, the sadness, the fear and everything else. I know I have worked hard at it 'doing' and that I have come to accept that I need to compromise in my goals and be less self punishing but what makes it so.
I always want to learn more about the subject of meaning and happiness, so as a New Years treat when I was in Oxford I purchased three books:
The Social Animal - By David Brooks
Happiness - Lessons from a new science By David Layard
Is That Alll There is? Thoughts on the meaning of life and leaving a legacy By Julia Neuberger
I have finished the Social Animal and love understanding more about how we work as human beings how much is genetics, how much is environment, how our unconscious mind impacts who we are and what we do. This text also challenges the individualistic paradigm that the contemporary world is and starts to suggest some alternatives.
Happiness also challenges the current paradigm of individualism has put into words my own experience and makes me ever thankful for my Mum and Dad for giving me the big empathy button that has lead me to have so much of my life to be about making a positive difference to people's lives for my day job. To be kind and compassionate and to have a strong moral code, this scientifically has set me up to be a happier person.
Apparently, my art practice has given me meaning and long term investment is something that enables me to experience 'flow' time, an activity which you can get completely lost in in not ware of time. This too is a key factor to long term happiness according to the Social Animal.
So maybe not as much luck as I has imagined....... but I keep crossing my fingers as in a heart beat life could be different. For me now, I am going to challenge myself to create two side A4 with some of the learnings to help reinforce and remind me when I am unsure what step to make,
Maybe for you, Social Animal is a recommended read. Happiness a solid book but I am not sure it is 5 stars, it certainly gives some solid ideas on how policy can impact happiness overall and explores why we are richer but not happier as a western society so worthwhile.
Also you could check out the TED Talks By David Brooks, and I will let you know about the third book still to be read.
I wanted to be happy not because I want to bliss out and live in a hippy love world, more because it was in short supply when I was a little person. I guess I have always known from experience that life can be hard that it can break your heart and so I just wanted to be happy. On many days now, I have those moments I am incredibly grateful for life and feel incredibly lucky that the cards have fallen my way.Just like I have won the lottery that my life can be filled with so much good stuff. I still wonder how did I get here.....
Look some people would see my life as a little crazy, too full, too hard - I work too much; I don't sleep enough; I have time consuming art projects that suck all my time but in the end it is how i got to this point. I still feel bewildered that I got here really, that I don't have the tears that used to flow too often, the sadness, the fear and everything else. I know I have worked hard at it 'doing' and that I have come to accept that I need to compromise in my goals and be less self punishing but what makes it so.
I always want to learn more about the subject of meaning and happiness, so as a New Years treat when I was in Oxford I purchased three books:
The Social Animal - By David Brooks
Happiness - Lessons from a new science By David Layard
Is That Alll There is? Thoughts on the meaning of life and leaving a legacy By Julia Neuberger
I have finished the Social Animal and love understanding more about how we work as human beings how much is genetics, how much is environment, how our unconscious mind impacts who we are and what we do. This text also challenges the individualistic paradigm that the contemporary world is and starts to suggest some alternatives.
Happiness also challenges the current paradigm of individualism has put into words my own experience and makes me ever thankful for my Mum and Dad for giving me the big empathy button that has lead me to have so much of my life to be about making a positive difference to people's lives for my day job. To be kind and compassionate and to have a strong moral code, this scientifically has set me up to be a happier person.
Apparently, my art practice has given me meaning and long term investment is something that enables me to experience 'flow' time, an activity which you can get completely lost in in not ware of time. This too is a key factor to long term happiness according to the Social Animal.
So maybe not as much luck as I has imagined....... but I keep crossing my fingers as in a heart beat life could be different. For me now, I am going to challenge myself to create two side A4 with some of the learnings to help reinforce and remind me when I am unsure what step to make,
Maybe for you, Social Animal is a recommended read. Happiness a solid book but I am not sure it is 5 stars, it certainly gives some solid ideas on how policy can impact happiness overall and explores why we are richer but not happier as a western society so worthwhile.
Also you could check out the TED Talks By David Brooks, and I will let you know about the third book still to be read.
I hate being sick
So the third week of my holiday has been taken over by me being sick. I haven't been very happy about it and I feel like precious days have slipped through my fingers.
I have so few days when I am not working or have deadlines and then my body decides I am going to make you do nothing so that is all I have been doing all week.
I have been in a lovely location of Sandbanks to do it. So there was fresh air and water all around but I didn't really manage to do much at all. Now on the coach back to London and fingers crossed I think I have taken a turn for the better.
no art, no seeing shows, no sketchbook
just sleeping, coughing, a little bit of reading and some terrible old movies
I have so few days when I am not working or have deadlines and then my body decides I am going to make you do nothing so that is all I have been doing all week.
I have been in a lovely location of Sandbanks to do it. So there was fresh air and water all around but I didn't really manage to do much at all. Now on the coach back to London and fingers crossed I think I have taken a turn for the better.
no art, no seeing shows, no sketchbook
just sleeping, coughing, a little bit of reading and some terrible old movies
A week in Oxford
Photos from my Oxford week
not the normal snapshots of beautiful Oxford but I am not looking for the usual experience
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| The boy and moo cow behind Christchurch College |
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| Ghost Forest by Angela Palmer |
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| Pitt Rivers Museum |
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| 1 of 1000's lovely buildings |
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| Pitt Rivers Museum |
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| Pitt Rivers Museum |
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| 1 of 1000's lovely buildings |
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| Pocahantas's father Ceremonial Hanging via the Ashmolean |
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| 1 of 1000's lovely scenes |
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| 1 of 1000's lovely scenes |
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| Aegean figures via the Ashmolean |
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| 1 of 1000's lovely scenes |
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| Magdalen College |
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| Bellini from Jamie's Italian |
