One of the ways artists reinvigorate their work is by imposing some kind on constraint into their art practice. Constraints can be anything from using a limited palette, working within a limited time frame, or on one type of surface etc. The idea of constraint presents an interesting dichotomy. How can constraining the seemingly endless options foster creativity. My own exploration of working within constraints started in March 2020 with the new reality imposed upon all of us with the COVID-19 pandemic. My shared studio space closed so I was forced to find another space where I could paint freely. Suddenly, an old potting shed at the back of my garden presented itself as an option. It was small, filled with broken pots, bags of soil and gravel, with no electricity or running water but it was filled with natural light from the glass paned walls. In other words, it was perfect. I cleaned and painted the floor and dusted off an old easel, filled a bucket with water from a nearby hose, and found an extension cord that would power a sander when I needed it. I’ve been happily painting in that small studio ever since or until very recently, mid November to be exact, when winter storms with cold and damp weather forced me back into my home office/now art studio.
Back to constraints. I signed up for a few projects that involved some amount of constraint. The first was an invitation from a tiny printmaking studio in Paris called L’atelier Silex Ink, Atelier de Lithographie (silexink.com). We were invited to create three prints without using a press, just with tools we had at hand. We mailed them off in exchange for three prints from other printmakers. I used acrylic paint and ink with parchment paper, plastic and the top of a water main et Voila!
The second one called Postcards from the Pandemic, involved creating and sharing small postcard sized works of art that were mailed to another participant to add their marks and alterations and then passed them on to the next person and so on. In the end, about 80 artists participated and the organizers, Boxcar Six Artist Collective had a small exhibition at the Fifty Fifty Gallery in Victoria where we got to see the entire collection. It was a truly great way to collaborate with other artists within the constraints of a postcard sized ‘canvas’ and share an interesting artistic exploration.
The third was an online course called Find Your Joy led by artist, Louise Fletcher who resides in Yorkshire, England. Classes were held over Zoom and work was posted to a private Facebook page for feedback and comments. While I stood in my humble little garden shed in Victoria plugged in to the internet, I listened to and watched Louise in her lovely studio in Yorkshire talk about colour and composition and contrast and the idea of letting go of fear and judgment - all designed to help each of us find the joy in painting. And, although we were on opposite sides of the world, Louise made the experience engaging, exciting and positively transformative.
I continue to use the idea of constraint in my practice and love the idea of how limiting something can expand the possibilities at the same time.
My rustic garden shed becomes my art studio. 8 feet X 10 feet Made of wood and glass with a moss covered roof. March, 2020
An artsy version of the humble garden studio.
Pandemic print using acrylic paint and parchment paper. April 2020
Le Corps is a handmade print without the use of a printing press. This work on watercolour paper was in response to a Call to Artists from L’atelier Silex Ink in Paris who invited print makers from around the world to produce prints without the use of a printing press during our shared global lockdown. I used professional relief ink in Supergraphic black and muslin cloth to create the print. Many experimental versions were created and this is the final one. The name Le Corps is a nod to the French atelier that initiated the print exchange. In exchange, I received three beautiful hand made prints from members of L’atelier Silex Ink. Magnifique!
My collaborative line drawing over a painted postcard, May 2020
Postcards from the Pandemic exhibition, Fifty Fifty Gallery, August, 2020
Ink and acrylic on watercolour paper, Find Your Joy, Summer 2020