'City of Glass 10 - StillmanStillman' Day 4

Hard day- problems with the drawing of the brown figure and its weight. The centre line caused complications.  The breakthrough came when I switched the canvases- the figures now follow each other (and the viewer follows) into an enigmatic space. Is it enough?- to test the painting I'll introduce a subtle grid tomorrow to identify location. Love,love,love the horizontal, the attention drawn to the dividing line by the white canvas,  and the curiosity of the repeated pose.  Strange piece.

 

Earlier version

 

  

Studio shot

 

 

 

 

Painting in progress -'City of Glass 10 - StillmanStillman'



Day 3

In defiance of Matisse's dictum: '.....whoever wishes to devote himself to painting should begin by cutting out his tongue..' and perhaps because this series is inspired by words, by text, words are flowing irresistibly and helping clarify ideas and understanding of the paintings.

Once again I'm sharing a studio with Janie M Mcdonald at Bodmin's Shire Hall and once again there is a fantastic dialogue and discussion of ideas.

I am fascinated by the idea of twin-paintings/pair of paintings/diptych and the power of the space between them and the central line.  The idea for this painting goes back to the Paul Auster's novel, where the 'detective' has an assignment to follow Stillman, recently released from jail, who is arriving at New York's Grand Central station on the 18.41 from Poughkeepsie.

Quinn has a photo (several years old) and spots Stillman, wearing a shabby brown overcoat, and starts to tail him. But incredibly he sees another man, whose face 'was the exact twin of Stillman's'. Paralysis - Quinn knows he is in the hands of fate, of chance. Forced to choose, he follows the second Stillman but after a few paces has a change of mind and follows the first Stillman.

The idea with this painting is to involve the viewer with Quinn's dilemma- the viewer becomes Quinn- the life-size figures and the split canvas help achieve this.  

Not there yet- I have yet to think about colour- my paints are still not fully unpacked and laid out, In my impatience, I have just been grabbing anything to hand!. The grid of Midtown is beginning to go in- but I'm not yet sure of the scale. The blue strip on the right will stay, representing the East River and I'm happy with the position of my 42nd St (the main horizontal). I'll make a point of Grand Central Station, currently the rose block on the right canvas - but shall try it straddling the dividing-line.  Whatever I decide, this line will be one of the avenues.  The figures need to be locked into the backgrounds more -they are floating about. Blue may spill/flood into the right side or the dirty pink will darken and match the tone of the brown overcoat.

The figures have changed a lot. First, the left hand figure was walking towards the viewer and the right hand figure away. Then they were both coming forwards. Then I had the idea that each figure, each canvas,would be near identical, each including Grand Central station.  This would be like two frames on a film, divided by the centre-line, but the figures lacked movement but I'll try this again in another piece.

Day 2 a.m.

Day 2 p.m.

Janie and me-happy to be back in the Shire Hall!

PV at Margate Gallery, Workshop and Open Studios

It was a great night at the opening of 'Opposites' at Margate Gallery on Friday. Ashley was delighted to see you all and especially honoured to welcome Victoria Pomery, Director of the Turner Contemporary to the show.

 Comments & Tweets About the Exhibition

Great show at @MargateGallery  - @AshleyHansonArt vibrant, colourful and exciting, a feast for the eyes http://bit.ly/19732Es

Just back from @AshleyHansonArt  exhibition @MargateGallery  it is a colour sensation. A MUST SEE!

Ashley's colourful artwork was a great way to brighten up the weekend. I highly recommend a visit to a great gallery and a fabulous art show.



The show continues until 22nd June see link for more details:
http://www.margategallery.co.uk/exhibition/opposites Ashley will be giving an informal talk about the work Saturday 22 June 12pm - 2pm at the gallery.

'Freedom in Painting with the Life - Model', 2 Day Workshop in Canterbury

Coinciding  with the exhibition is a new exciting workshop at Canterbury Christchurch University ‘Freedom in Painting with the Life Model’ Thurs & Fri 20^th- 21^st June,  9.30-5.30pm . Cost £70 for the 2 days. 

‘The Life-room is a special place for artists, and links artists working today with those of the past. Working from the model is a timeless, challenging and essential discipline but is rich in possibilities: the aim of this 2 day workshop is to build on observational skills and gain a greater understanding of painting through our own personal interpretations of the human figure.’

During the workshop we will be exploring colour, mark-making, composition, the physicality of paint and the journey from drawing into painting. The aim of this course is to build on observational skills and gain a greater understanding of painting through our own personal interpretations of the human figure.

 

Book soon as places are filling up fast!!

Email  denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk or call 01208 77656 to book.

 

Open Studios in Bodmin

 

 

Ashley and Janie are teaming up again at Bodmin's Shire Hall welcoming visitors to the studio over a 3 week period, 25th May- 15th June 10am - 5pm, Mon -Sat . Do pop in if you are near by, come see the exhibition and say 'hello'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Freedom in Painting with the Life-Model

To coincide with the exhibition Ashley will be running a workshop at Canterbury Christchurch University ‘Freedom in Painting with the Life Model’ Thurs & Fri 20^th- 21^st June,  9.30-5.30pm . Cost £70 for the 2 days. 

Ashley comments ‘The Life-room is a special place for artists, and links artists working today with those of the past. Working from the model is a timeless, challenging and essential discipline but is rich in possibilities'

 

To book or for more details about the workshop please contact denise@ashleyhanson.co.uk  or  call 01208 77656. Limited to 16 places only