It’s come to the one time of year where I feel like doing a blog post. A little thought that I want to put into writing and if you’ve stumbled across this and enjoy it then it’s all the more worth doing.

I’ve been thinking recently about my obsession with shapes, it’s always my starting point in drawing and now not only do I want to draw them, I want to dedicate some words (whilst also digressing) to these funny structures that create the content of our vision. I’m sure I’m not the only person who gets excited about pointed doors and circular cushions.

In the creative world finding constant inspiration can be hard and it’s natural for it to come in ebbs and flows. As creatives we can give ourselves a hard time in trying to achieve a constant flow of work. This blog is to help shed light on our everyday surroundings that we may not look towards when we’re stuck in the dreaded artists block.

My last blog touched on the huge influx of news and media we take in everyday. Whether we seek it out or involuntarily scroll through it, current world affairs can feel overwhelming when it’s the first thing you see on your newsfeed. Streams of negative world news whether its our callous government or our dilapidating environment can make creating artwork feel useless, until you realise without it humanity would be a cold and sorry state. Sometimes we need to take a step away from constant media, get yourself a beer and enjoy the smooth curvature of that beer tap handle.

I recently read ‘The World according to Colour’ by James Fox. It was such a captivating read and covered a huge range of topics from anthropology, science and art history. It dissected our obsessions with certain colours and their cultural references.You don’t have to be interested in art to enjoy it’s well researched and refreshing outlook on the pigments that make up our visual world. I’m now waiting for someone to write one on the history of shapes and what they mean to us. We give so much attention to colour and its significance without appreciating colour being held within a structure.Those structures create the whole world around us, in nature, in everyday objects, in architecture. Whether man made or formed naturally we are completely and utterly surrounded by shapes.

I mainly work as a printmaker and quite often shape comes before colour when you’re preparing work. Print can be traditional yet contemporary, with endless outcomes to produce, it gives printmakers distinctive styles due to the variety of technique. It can epitomize pattern and structure through it’s important process of planning, cutting and placement. In many processes the use of shape is at the core of its design. ‘Pressing Matters’ is a beautifully curated magazine showcasing printmakers from all over (issue 22, page 95 my claim to fame). I’ve fallen in love with the work of two printmakers featured in the magazine, neither use much colour and it’s not needed because of their bold use of design.

Ysidro Pergamino’s work is unapologetic and so striking. Using elaborately constructed characters alongside typography, his work comments on so much without being overbearing or too subtle. The perfect balance of shape, font and figures.

Images sourced from https://justseeds.org/an-interview-with-printmaker-ysidro-pergamino/

Then there’s David Schmitt who has a really playful and naive style in his mainly black and white large prints, holding a resemblance to paper cutouts. There is nothing to distract from his work, with comical phrases and plenty of negative space you are open to interpret his beautifully shaped imagery as you wish.

own images of Pressing matters magazine, issue 23

What’s really interesting is that both artists only started printmaking a few years ago, there's a beautiful simplicity to their work, yet it’s really well refined and stands out. Sometimes overthinking and trying to adhere to perfection can hold you back. It's easier said than done but I think letting go and allowing things to take shape (quite literally) in their most primitive form produces the best outcomes. Very often doing a quick sketch then trying to refine and replicate it never quite works. In other instances you can take away the detail from within a shape and it’s bold beauty is revealed. For Pergamino and Schmitt whether it’s not having a formal education in the arts or just having an eye for crisp designs these two are my current print idols. Jumping out with their bold and clear cut imagery, their sharp angles and typography. It’s delicious work without any pretensions.

In my own work I always take inspiration in seeing new places very different from the UK, as well as being tied to the idea of producing work that has a story or research behind it. Personally I think purpose is integral to an art practice but sometimes it can stop experimentation. My need to travel to produce new pieces can be problematic because it’s unrealistic to travel constantly. So we have to adapt and find inspiration in what is most accessible. Currently I’m sat on my slightly battered but homely red sofa, looking around at all the jazzy shapes surrounding me, the record player is spinning and I’m feeling grateful to be in a safe place decorated with my own weird and wonderful objects.

A few favourite bits at home

As artists we can become so wrapped up in the conceptual ideas that form the basis of our work. I work as a gardener and never think to take inspiration from the insane structures and formations I see everyday. Its only moving to a new area recently and having to adapt to big changes that's made me rethink the way to keep the creative cogs turning. Pushing aside an illustration plan to travel until I am more settled, I’ve continued with illustration projects but am having a little more fun with them. Drawing whatever is around you might turn into something more or it might not. To develop but also enjoy your practice you have to keep creating, bearing in mind your own pace and priorities. It can be something as simple as drawing your favourite belongings or a life drawing of your partner (always fun) . I’ve had a major artist block recently so decided to write this blog whilst working on a really simple hoodie design. I’ve sat in my living room and drawn whatever shapes I enjoy around me, then I’ve taken out a load, added them back in and then started all over again with a very select few for a chilled print.

Right now with all the shit going on in the world I’ve never thought so much about the importance of enjoying your own space, having good speakers and letting your creativity take charge. Don’t stress about always making your best work, just appreciate whatever you can and ideas will come.

And do get excited about all the different shapes of pasta, there are so many to try.

image 1. The King of shapes, Henri Matisse’s work at the Tate

https://www.tate.org.uk/press/press-releases/matisse-tates-most-successful-exhibition-ever

image 2. a little hoodie design for the love of music and shapes

My Turn it up hoodie is now available from Printsocial for the following week (the 13th of this month)! Available through https://www.weareprintsocial.com/campaigns/ioillustration

If you’d also like to see a big collection of contemporary prints, East London Printmakers are currently running their 25th annual show in Mile End. I have two prints there among loads of other printmakers and that is on until the 10th of this month at The Art Pavilllion.

Accounts to follow…

@tuyo.art

@ave_cosmica_prints

@pressingmattersmag