Oliver Jeffers

The Bologna Book Fair is happening this week across Bologna which means there are tonnes of exciting events, exhibitions and talks happening everyday.  Yesterday at the Academy I was fortunate enough to listen to a lecture by the artist/illustrator,  Oliver Jeffers.   He talked about his life as an artist and how he works to achieve artistic goals, it made for a very inspiring lecture.  Though he primarily works making children's picture books he has expanded and his work can be seen across various platforms - turns out I have seen his work without even knowing it. 

 

 

http://www.oliverjeffers.com/

 

Picture books aren't just for children.  They share a simple story in it's simplest way.   

Current Work Space

 

Work so far. Struggling to find coherency in my ideas I think at the moment but maybe that will come as I feel more comfortable in my space.  Currently thinking about containing the form to minimal areas of the space.  I like to work in a slow, considered manner to subtly imply elements of the forms of reality.  I begin with the abstract and render a reality from this.

Everything is a composition

 

 

The strong intense sunlight I have found changes the way I look at things and how compositions can be made in shadows.  Compositions for paintings need not just influenced by the visual three dimensional forms we experience. 

 I have started documenting the light in my room which appears only at sunset.  It moves around my room as birds fly between line of light and as the intensity changes.  It is sometimes

This transitory experience I patiently wait for daily

I think it display that the transitory things or the things we can never fully attain are the things we chase.  The fleeting moment never lasts long enough for us to fully explore the experience.   

Vermeer Exhibition

After studying Vermeer over the past few months, I feel very fortunate that I have come to Bologna where Vermeer's 'Girl With the Peal Earing' is currently on loan at the Plazzo Fava.  Looking forward to visiting it soon!


http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/events/complete-calendar/params/Eventi_1384/ref/Girl%20with%20a%20Pearl%20Earring%20in%20Bologna

Venice

 

Took a trip to Venice where it was unfortunately raining throughout the whole journey.  I managed to take some photographs along the away of particular things I found interesting.  Even though the rain was tedious to be caught in, it made for some interesting images.  I have been having some issues with my colour palette in painting lately and the colours I observed throughout the day were really heightened in this trip as they were set against rather a dull, grey atmosphere. 

I found it interesting observing the moments of connections and intersection in the movement of people and the closely arranged architecture.  It would seem quite easy to be lost in the history of the city but an individual walking through the scene of observation is enough to show a juxtaposition of the eras as they embody many clichés of the modern world is in just their aesthetic; demonstrating the power of the image.

These points of intersections and connections between the static and movement , provide us with fleeting moments of elusive beauty in geometric harmony.  Even if lasting for a second, this is where clarity can be obtained and self-realisations take place.  

 

James Turrell Exhibition

http://www.pacegallery.com/london/exhibitions/12614/james-turrell

Hayward Light Show

Disappointed I missed this last year. Entirely immersing and absorbing experience exploring how light has the power to change our perception.

http://www.haywardlightshow.co.uk/