My biblionautic chums and friends.
Thud.
noun
1. a dull, heavy sound, such as that made by an object falling to the ground or on to something: "it hit the custard with a thud"
verb
1. move, fall, or strike something with a dull, heavy sound: "the chocolate drops thudded into the custard"
That sound no creative wants to hear.
Where the mind is blank and the block, the creative block, drops with an audible, ominous thud.
Thud happens.
It can happen at any time and for any number of reasons.
As a bookbinder/book artist I am able to make books. The mechanics of the construction along with the application and manipulation of various materials are skills that I have learnt and teach. Yes, there can and is creativity in the forwarding (in simple terms, the making of the basics of a book) however, it is, by and large, memory both in muscle and mind. Perhaps one could say, in the main, a remembered series of actions, some simple some not so simple. But actions that can be taught and learnt.
I, along with other contemporary bookbinders use the text block as their inspiration in much the same way that, lets say in general terms, a still-life artist would use an arrangement of objects. Of course how one sees or is able to abstract from/with the arrangement of objects or in the case of the contemporary bookbinder.. the text, imagery etc is open to individual interpretation. The completed work is a combination of traditional formats and materials, canvas, pigments, board, cloth, leather etc. Along side the creativity of the realisation of those thoughts, abstractions and individual interpretations to produce a finished work that is balanced and coherent. For the contemporary bookbinder a designed binding if you will.
Of course, as a book artist I produce the text block along with the binding and, as often as not, an extended environment. In short the total book.
However, that creative block can still thud.
Many have said that I was ‘lucky’ to have gone to art college. Trust me, luck had nothing to do with it. It was a conscious decision. I just did not happen to find myself at art college, it was not a roll of the dice. As a child I was aware of artists and the reality of what an artists life could be like, I was under no illusion that either art college and my subsequent working life and further education would be easy. From my graduating year a fraction went on to University. (when a BA actually meant something and not uni which is now, in the main seen as a right. I of course write from the perspective of being in the UK, I realise that for many people even a basic education is something that is not available) Most of us got stuck into the real world, I went free lance, again not by ‘luck’ but a choice. Many of us found it impossible, the dream of being an ‘artist’ was too far away. Dreams and goals changed. The propagated reality of life became reality.. most became mainstream. Finding work in what is often described as ‘proper jobs’, following a defined career path with all the associated benefits. I realise there are down sides but from my perspective having the security of the wage packet made me so jealous. Likewise they were jealous of my perceived freedom.
However, whilst at art college I had the good fortune to have excellent teachers. Many were working professionals who taught part time. They were not institutionalised. They taught us for the real world, and given the desire and direction, how to get on with the job.
I remember much of what I was taught... Day one- how to sharpen a pencil and so forth. One lecture/talk that I can still recall was about the creative block. First we were informed that rarely does an idea pop in to the head, it is usually worked and teased, chewed over and spat out etc. And in response to the thud...simple steps to help us work through the creative block.
Accept that blocks happen not only to you but everyone else. Don’t try to force an idea. Try coming in to the work from an oblique angle or narrow the brief to define to a new starting point.
Work on something completely different. Put the thud on a back burner and turn your mind to a new project. Forget any perceived rules, just go for it. The project can be simple, just to relax or get the juices moving. Often with the act of doing something, anything other than the thud engages the mind, can open up mind space.
Try talking the project through with a colleague or colleagues that are not yes people. People who you know will give you their honest opinion and help. Bouncing ideas around, having a different perspective often opens doors. It is difficult in the situation we all now face but with the chance for those of us that have access to the internet with the various forms of social interaction available, thoughts and opinions to questions are never too long in being put forward. Asking for help or thoughts is not a weakness it is an acknowledgement that you need input.. the all important third person who is able to see things differently. But, if I may add, do not go down the ‘design by committee’ road. In the end no one, most importantly you, is happy. One has only to look at the lack lustre public buildings that often pollute our urbanscape.
The Sherlock approach can also be considered. By moving on from what is definitely not of use will get you closer to what is of use. The process of elimination.
A simple way to combat thud is to change your working environment. Work at an other bench or change your view. Re-arrange the books on the shelves or the pictures on the wall. Tidy the studio, I do this quite often.. It usually means that I and the students are unable to find anything for a while but it is very cathartic. It works for me! Just ask my students how often things have moved or cannot be found.
One method I use is to look beyond my discipline. Study at how other artists, artisans, craft peoples and idea smiths use and interpret the materials they employ to realise their finished work. One thing can spark off a chain reaction.
For me being creative is the old 1% inspiration 99% perspiration cliche. Perhaps, the more I gain experience the more I am able to dig inspiration out of the tool bag. Some of us make the creative appear to be so natural, that it is easy, effortless. This often belies the years of experience, practise and a very big tool bag to dig in to. Being able to work through the thud is a skill as much as walking the tight or slack rope of creativity. I am confident that many of us have had and will have thud in the future, just as many of us have our own ways of dealing with it.
In short do not let thud grind you down.
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Thud.
Wednesday, 29 April 2020
Thursday, 23 April 2020
The importance of failure.
My biblionautic chums and friends.
I fail.
In the time that I now have to myself in the studio and in the old noggin that passes for my head.. which by default contains my brain and all that goes with that, I have time to question what I do and why I do it (amongst other things). The other day one tiny voice that popped into the uninterrupted cacophony of voices that jostle to be heard posed a simple question 'Is failure part of the creative process?' Well, after some time dwelling on this point.... I believe it is part of the creative process. And, if I am honest, I feel it is as important as the success of the creative process.
In the age we live, failure is talked less and less about. It has become a no no in education and in many spheres of daily life. Having said that, there is, of course, what I refer to as the negative success. For example, in short, and trust me I have witnessed this more than once... a tutor at the end of the session saying to the gathered students..' Of course none of you will ever be as good as me' This is bad in many ways, it is forces the tutors assumed success on the expected failure of the student, a negative success as it were. It is arrogant, belittling and says much about the skill of the tutor. I will not go on but I hope you get my point.
Many are told that failure in the process of making or creating should not happen. The sad reality is that in many aspects of our working lives we are conditioned to have an abhorrence to failure. So much so that this can (and does) lead to a stagnation in the creative process. Many stick with what they know and just produce variations on the basics, a slight change in colour or size but basically the same thing because they do not want to fail. We have become addicted to the culture of success, indeed craving the high of the 'like' or 'heart' on their posts. Expecting instant approval and success. I feel it is endemic in younger (and not so young) people... All that may happen in the long run is a culture of mediocrity and petulance. We are taught to fear the mistake or failure.
Yes I post on line. Yes I have a blog and yes, I go live and make the odd, appalling short film. For me it is not about the likes or hearts. Moreover, it is definitely not about the lovely comments I don't get, I get very few as it is and always try to answer... Lets be honest, if I wanted the posts to garner adulation I would always have a kitten, puppy or lavish dish of food in shot. For me it is about communication, to share (as it is with others) to let people see what I am up to. Perhaps an on line gallery or public face to the studio.. I hope you, my reader, understand.
Once I have understood a making or creative process, I practice, I experiment, I go out on a limb, I go down new paths. I fail. However, I look upon the failure as part of the process, I pick myself up and start again with the added knowledge of the failure, a step nearer success. Trust me, there can be many failures but they all lead, finally, to the one success, ask any skater!
Because I have taken the time to understand the rules I can begin to bend them, to break them..I ask myself what if I use a bigger brush and colour outside the lines. I fail, I start again. I begin to make my own rules, stretching to breaking point and beyond. This, and more is my creative process. I ask myself 'Is this the best I can do or as far as I can go?' I find answers to my questions.
Success is very, very rarely instant nor is it an entitlement, it is to be worked for. Success is a difficult thing to gauge in the creative world, it is often a personal thing. There is, of course, the confidence it can bring and the tangible rewards of others wishing to acquire your work or to learn from you. That could be thought of as a measure of success and paying the bills is important. For me, however, it is more of a stepping stone in the creative journey.
As much as I strive for success I embrace failure. Each is vital for learning and work, and it is part of my teaching ethos.
As final thought..... What is the measure of failure?
For those of us who are old enough.... and no peaking on a search engine.....
1988. Winter Olympics. The Jamaican Bobsled Team and Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards-70m and 90m Ski Jump. Who won the Gold Medal in their respective events?
Both the Jamaican Bobsled Team and Eddie the Eagle failed in gaining awards and came last in their events, they failed. However both found success in their failure, they represented their countries in the most public of arenas. They gained the hearts of the public, the admiration of their fellow competitors and are still remembered today.
Also the gold medalists have not had films made about them!
Stay Safe
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... failures and successes, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
I fail.
In the time that I now have to myself in the studio and in the old noggin that passes for my head.. which by default contains my brain and all that goes with that, I have time to question what I do and why I do it (amongst other things). The other day one tiny voice that popped into the uninterrupted cacophony of voices that jostle to be heard posed a simple question 'Is failure part of the creative process?' Well, after some time dwelling on this point.... I believe it is part of the creative process. And, if I am honest, I feel it is as important as the success of the creative process.
In the age we live, failure is talked less and less about. It has become a no no in education and in many spheres of daily life. Having said that, there is, of course, what I refer to as the negative success. For example, in short, and trust me I have witnessed this more than once... a tutor at the end of the session saying to the gathered students..' Of course none of you will ever be as good as me' This is bad in many ways, it is forces the tutors assumed success on the expected failure of the student, a negative success as it were. It is arrogant, belittling and says much about the skill of the tutor. I will not go on but I hope you get my point.
Many are told that failure in the process of making or creating should not happen. The sad reality is that in many aspects of our working lives we are conditioned to have an abhorrence to failure. So much so that this can (and does) lead to a stagnation in the creative process. Many stick with what they know and just produce variations on the basics, a slight change in colour or size but basically the same thing because they do not want to fail. We have become addicted to the culture of success, indeed craving the high of the 'like' or 'heart' on their posts. Expecting instant approval and success. I feel it is endemic in younger (and not so young) people... All that may happen in the long run is a culture of mediocrity and petulance. We are taught to fear the mistake or failure.
Yes I post on line. Yes I have a blog and yes, I go live and make the odd, appalling short film. For me it is not about the likes or hearts. Moreover, it is definitely not about the lovely comments I don't get, I get very few as it is and always try to answer... Lets be honest, if I wanted the posts to garner adulation I would always have a kitten, puppy or lavish dish of food in shot. For me it is about communication, to share (as it is with others) to let people see what I am up to. Perhaps an on line gallery or public face to the studio.. I hope you, my reader, understand.
Once I have understood a making or creative process, I practice, I experiment, I go out on a limb, I go down new paths. I fail. However, I look upon the failure as part of the process, I pick myself up and start again with the added knowledge of the failure, a step nearer success. Trust me, there can be many failures but they all lead, finally, to the one success, ask any skater!
Because I have taken the time to understand the rules I can begin to bend them, to break them..I ask myself what if I use a bigger brush and colour outside the lines. I fail, I start again. I begin to make my own rules, stretching to breaking point and beyond. This, and more is my creative process. I ask myself 'Is this the best I can do or as far as I can go?' I find answers to my questions.
Success is very, very rarely instant nor is it an entitlement, it is to be worked for. Success is a difficult thing to gauge in the creative world, it is often a personal thing. There is, of course, the confidence it can bring and the tangible rewards of others wishing to acquire your work or to learn from you. That could be thought of as a measure of success and paying the bills is important. For me, however, it is more of a stepping stone in the creative journey.
As much as I strive for success I embrace failure. Each is vital for learning and work, and it is part of my teaching ethos.
As final thought..... What is the measure of failure?
For those of us who are old enough.... and no peaking on a search engine.....
1988. Winter Olympics. The Jamaican Bobsled Team and Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards-70m and 90m Ski Jump. Who won the Gold Medal in their respective events?
Both the Jamaican Bobsled Team and Eddie the Eagle failed in gaining awards and came last in their events, they failed. However both found success in their failure, they represented their countries in the most public of arenas. They gained the hearts of the public, the admiration of their fellow competitors and are still remembered today.
Also the gold medalists have not had films made about them!
Stay Safe
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... failures and successes, spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Sunday, 19 April 2020
Charlie Chaplin. Icon 2. The 3rd spread, the 4 wives.. and the husband.
My biblionautic chums and friends.
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The 3rd spread, the 4 wives..
The broken image of CC has been added. CC was done in a four stage print process... much fun
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The 3rd spread, the 4 wives..
The broken image of CC has been added. CC was done in a four stage print process... much fun
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Stay Safe
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Friday, 17 April 2020
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The wives.
My biblionautic chums and friends.
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The 3rd spread, the 4 wives..
A broken image of CC will be added tomorrow or perhaps the next, as the ink may take a while to dry.
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The 3rd spread, the 4 wives..
A broken image of CC will be added tomorrow or perhaps the next, as the ink may take a while to dry.
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Stay Safe
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Sunday, 12 April 2020
Icon 2. Charlie Chaplin.
My biblionautic chums and friends.
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The 2nd spread is now finished.. for now that is.
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. The 2nd spread is now finished.. for now that is.
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Stay Safe
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
Wednesday, 8 April 2020
Icon 2. Charlie Chaplin. First spread sort of finished.
My biblionautic chums and friends.
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. More prints. The first spread is sort of finished .. on to number 2! Chas's early life.
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Stay Safe
Chas Chaplin. Icon 2. More prints. The first spread is sort of finished .. on to number 2! Chas's early life.
Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. Approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Stay Safe
Thursday, 2 April 2020
Icon 2. Charlie Chaplin.
After what seems like an age... practical work has started on Charlie Chaplin (Icon 2)
The genius of Chaplin.
One aspect of this sort of work is the amount of research that one has to do (The internet can, at times, be a blessing) To date,on and off, I suppose I have spent the better part of two days finding material, going through pages of information, including a set of Encyclopaedia Britannica - 1950 and numerous other books and the like. I still much to do.
If I may share the brief thoughts of a good friend of mine...
There was something (ever so slightly) demonic about the little tramp; something to do with his frighteningly irrepressible energy. You will know of course that it was Chaplin who founded United Artists, an attempt to take power from the big studios, and invest it in the actors and writers etc. who did the creative work.
Best, Mel
We start with the early years. Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Stay Safe
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
A proof. (a technique I teach)
The genius of Chaplin.
One aspect of this sort of work is the amount of research that one has to do (The internet can, at times, be a blessing) To date,on and off, I suppose I have spent the better part of two days finding material, going through pages of information, including a set of Encyclopaedia Britannica - 1950 and numerous other books and the like. I still much to do.
Having said
that... I have the format and the basic design of the pages and the
construction already designed... 3 days working out how to do something
simple... it is always the way though.
If I may share the brief thoughts of a good friend of mine...
There was something (ever so slightly) demonic about the little tramp; something to do with his frighteningly irrepressible energy. You will know of course that it was Chaplin who founded United Artists, an attempt to take power from the big studios, and invest it in the actors and writers etc. who did the creative work.
Best, Mel
We start with the early years. Collage, roll, hand colouring and soft plate off-set printing. approx 50cm x 40cm (at the moment) Mixed media, paints, paper and ink. WIP
Please note there are other ways of doing things and opinions..... spelling and grammar. Please further note, the opinion of the author may change at any moment. This is due to having an open mind... of sorts.
A proof. (a technique I teach)
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