EARLY SPRING 2024
This is my first blog of the New Year, so I’ll begin by wishing you a happy and fruitful 2024.
My work has not been going well. I’m probably having the same thing one reads about for writers: Writers Block. This is painters block. I finally decided to stop fighting it and to stop wasting a lot of expensive paint. Instead I have agreed with Paula to spend more time visiting galleries and looking at other painters work. I might also do some prints.
The first exhibition I visited, after our decision to take a rest, was Frank Auerbach, The Charcoal Heads, at The Courtauld.
The Courtauld is a slightly neglected London gallery which has one of the best collections of French Impressionist paintings in the world. It’s not a big collection but has some of the greatest paintings of that period, including Manet’s famous; A Bar at the Follies Bergère, and Vincent Van Gogh’s Self Portrait with Bandaged Ear. If you have never been there you should definitely pay a visit rather than wasting time going up and down on the wrong lifts at Tate Modern. The Courtauld has a lift that stops on every floor. It also has an excellent shop. I couldn’t resist buying the catalogue.
The Frank Auerbach show is a quiet revelation. It consists mostly of charcoal drawings, and a few painted portraits of friends and family plus one amazing charcoal self-portrait. Not a big show but one that demands your time. The Courtauld Director, Professor Mark Hallett, says that their shows are deliberately not “block busters”. He wants you to spend time, and linger at their exhibitions. We were fortunate that the gallery was not at all crowded.
I’m familiar with Auerbach’s cityscapes but not nearly familiar enough with his portraits. There is one painted portrait, Head of EOW III. Which is stunning. It’s on loan from the Manchester Art Gallery.
The exhibition continues until 27th May, so you have lots of time.
My next blog will have details of my 2025 exhibition.
Andrew
I would paint about your life and make a series of it…5 when your earliest, 5 when you were a teenage, 5 a young man, 5 midle age, 5 as you see life now…I think its reflective and interseting and a good outlet…id buy it
It isn’t about the subject matter. It’s to do with the images not being good enough.
Hello Andrew,
I often have composers block and have come to recognise that in the long term it’s part of the process for the next work and it probably turns out better for the block. Taking in galleries, music etc can often produce the next fresh idea. The block can be so depressing so best to do something else. I’m sure you will find the right time to start painting again and you will be happy with the results.
Thanks for Auerbach recommend. We will go along. Perhaps bump into you and Paula on a trip. Let me know if you both fancy the RA as I have membership. X
Thanks Avril,
I’ll let you know if Paula and I are thinking of the RA. I know that we have to go to Fortnum and Masons across the road for some decent Royal Bland Tea.
My way of dealing with composers block is to listen to some really bad music. I’m sure there are some really bad exhibitions going on out there.
There are some horrible shows and it’s all very depressing. One of the most depressing is the new hang and overt wokeness at the Natioinal Portrait Gallery.
Your ego is not your amigo, Andrew. You should know that by now. What does “good enough” mean in this context?
Not being good enough means it doesn’t work! When it is working I don’t want to leave it. It’s nothing to do with my ego. It’s a reaction to the rubbish on the canvas. Just like smelling a bad egg. You know it’s not good enough.
I get writers block in business. I use the opportunity to think about it rather than force it. It then comes to me after a few days of musings and distraction techniques. When I do finally feel I can place my fingers on the key board, I’m ready to write; and it just flows. In an hour or so it’s done – and I’m usually pretty happy with the finished product xxx
The difference for me is to try to clear any ideas from my head before I make a mark on the canvas. Not easy when the world is in such a mess.
I love the paintings you showed above this blog! Would getting out to somewhere lovely in nature and just making drawings of anything that catches your attention in the glorious spring scented atmosphere help lift spirits and stimulate? If you haven’t done it already?
Love
Hinda x
Thanks for your thoughts Hinda, I think that painting is OK too.
I went into the studio this morning and did some work. A bit better than of late so perhaps I’m on my way through. As for nature I’m a city man and love concrete, steel and the smell of diesel. Nothing more beautiful than a six lane highway snaking off to the horizon.
Love,
A