Pages from my sketch book
It's been a while since my last post.
I've been giving a lot of thought to how I am going
to approach this masters... Too many thoughts perhaps and not enough creating
but then I need to have a starting point and direction, however embryonic, in
order to be able to move forward. Otherwise I just wander aimlessly, having
great fun, but with no real direction. Oh I can feel myself going off on a
tangent... I want to add here that it is good to wander for a while. Like play
and experimenting that lead to new discoveries and are a wonderful and
important phase in the creative process. Throwing that net out, letting go,
opening yourself out and trying new things. Exploring new ideas and new
techniques. Letting ideas come to you rather than doggedly chasing after them.
But for me, I need my ducks in a row and an overview of my aims and objectives
before I can free flow. For me there needs to be a balance between structure
and free flow. And to be open to a change of direction and not be too rigid,
while keeping sight of the horizon (ooh me being poetic and metaphoric. The
horizon symbolic of the starting point here.) As Joseph Campbell says: "We
must let go of the life we have planned, so as to accept the one that is
waiting for us".
So this starting point... It starts with my love of
the Transpersonal, the Unconscious, Myth, Dream, Story and Archetype. And my
sketch book.
For the practical side of the masters I will be
recording my dreams, my thoughts and feelings, my drawings and collage in my
sketch book. (I find magazines are a wonderful source of ready-made images that
can be cut out and used to create abstract or ‘right brain’ compositions). I
won't be giving any of this too much thought. I don't want it to come from the
head. Rather to use my sketch book as a conscious/waking creative dream in
process. (Now there’s a mouthful). Choosing images that for whatever reason,
speak to me. Meditative, rather like when we doodle. It will be a glorified
doodle. Just letting go of the need to control and let the images and words
flow. Let go of my mind’s need to see and make connections.
From the sketch book I will be moving into ceramics
and the three dimensional form. I've already mentioned The House. That in
Jungian terms The House represents the Psyche and this is where it all happens.
So I will start with a cardboard prototype of a house on which I will 'doodle',
like a 3D extension of my sketchbook. And from here into porcelain. The
Prototype will give me a starting point for the images, textures, mark making
and layers that I will work into my porcelain houses. Each house will be a
story, or a part of a story. Also
to explore the idea of many rooms rather than many houses. Here’s a thought; when you dream of your house and then find a room that you
didn't know existed.....something is about to be discovered. An aspect of your psyche is revealing itself...
And these finished porcelain structures will be the
starting point and reference for my paintings. More on this later...
I am very lucky to have some very knowledgeable and
experienced therapists in this field to help work with and process both the
theoretical and practical work. This is very much a personal journey at this
stage; making the unconscious conscious and looking for integration and balance
therein. And the theory, with Transpersonal Psychology and Jung's ideas pivotal
to all aspects of my masters, is that the material that comes out of the dreams
and 'doodling' is all part of this journey, reflected as images and
symbolism and suggesting how things are, the potential for change and perhaps a
way forward. The theory too is that the personal journey merges and overlaps
with the collective journey. From the realm of personal dreaming to the
realm of collective dreaming. From the microcosm to the macrocosm. Again as Joseph Campbell says: "Myths are
public dreams, dreams are private myths".
I really feel the need to say here that I am aware
of how privileged I am being able to embark on such a journey and I am very
grateful. Not many people are in the position to be able to indulge so
completely in something that they are so excited and passionate about.
More examples of recording in my sketchbook
and my first porcelain house in progress
