Werewolves and Witches

Werewolves and witches from an art class last year with my adult art group to take us into Halloween.

Auguste Forestier

Auguste Forestier was committed to a psychiatric hospital aged 27 having caused a train derailment. Auguste draw and sculpted in his spare time. He carved bones from the kitchen and pieces of salvaged wood mixing these with scraps of fabric and leather to make animals and figures.

Stitch Books

I have been working on sample/ stitch books with my students this term these are photographs of the pages before they were secured in to the books.

Lee Godie I

Some beautiful work by Lee Godie (1908-1994), Lee was a self taught 'outsider' artist who after the death of two of her children and the break up of her marriage found herself living on the streets of Chicago. For over 30 years she was a character of this city selling her paintings on the steps of the art Institute. late in life she was reunited with her surviving daughter and they lived together for the last three years of Lee's life. Lee's work is now internationally recognised, praised and exhibited, an icon of Chicago city and it's art world. (Thank you)

Edward Goss II

Edward Goss's sketch books are really textural bundles often  bound in coloured string and thread.  Full of secrets and intrigue, beautiful mysteries.

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj II

More magical work by Ilija Bašičević Bosilj (2 August 1895 – 1972). Iljia was born in 1895 in Šid. Vojvodina the ninth child in his family. He worked as a farmer and wine maker until he was 62. He produced his first gouaches and drawings in 1957 and from 1958. started working in oil paint, in his life time despite being late to commence a career in art he was acclaimed and exhibited widely. 

"It seems to me that the old people were right when they said that there is a constant battle between the good and the evil, only one never knows what is good and what is bad. For all I used to love, I hate now, and all I used to hate I love now, so who can be clever? In my life I  heard some words, and I remember the that a man is a scarf with two faces."  Ilija Bašičević Bosilj

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj I

Ilija Bašičević Bosilj (2 August 1895 – 1972) lived a life constantly disrupted by conflict and political change. His life story is fascinating as are his wonderful naive paintings. 
Ilija Bašičević Bosilj began painting in his early fifties and during his lifetime was exhibited widely throughout Europe and indeed in Japan and South America. To help support his home town of Shid, Ilija bequeathed his work which now forms the Museum Ilijanum.

A 12 Foot Letter by Lorina Bulwer

Last night I was amazed and delighted to discover this work by Great Yarmouth woman Lorina Bulwer dated as 1900's, created when Lorina was incarcerated in the towns lunatic asylum.

I grew up rurally at Burgh Castle on the marshes outside Great Yarmouth, Norfolk  from the age of 11. 
So finding such an amazing piece of work, connected with this area, added to its potency for me. 
Also I have worked with people for many years who would be classified (if anyone was to classify people) as outsider artists. 
People, all people have a story to tell and art facilitates great story telling. 
This is a story, a wonderful 12 foot letter so incredible in its narrative, its fabrication, colours and yes its anger. It is a very powerful piece of work shouting from one century to the next.
Last year another letter surfaced through time this time it is a 14 foot letter, I cannot wait to see these amazing pieces of social history and incredible pieces of art.

Edward Goss

Edward Goss is an artist who works in many media and produces paintings and sculptures his work often features horses and bulls, but following on from yesterdays patient sheep in the rain by Gerald Rose, I thought this friesian was perfect.

Cardboard Collage

My students in my adult class have been drawing cats, dogs and birds and so in a move towards three dimensions we have worked with Cardboard collage. Almost everyone choose cats as their subject and here are some of the results Top: Gregg Ritchie, Middle: James Cape, Bottom: Joan Cargill.

吉川秀昭さん Hideaki Yoshikawa

Wonderful intricate pen work from Japanese artist  H Yoshikawa 

"eyes, eyes, nose, mouth" expressing his own identity on mainly paper but sometimes with clay Hideaki Yoshikawa produces these complex works in pen "I keep regular intervals, in the order of eye, eye, nose, and mouth, the point of countless symbols, on lined writing carefully and from top to bottom." 

Thank you

Doily Day II

Fiona Lindsay's Doily Lion also from yesterday's morning class.

Inspiration from Carll Cneut

Carll Cneut was today's class's inspiration. I took photocopies of birds got the students to choose one and then cut it in half encouraging them to draw the missing half. 
I think this would be a great class with many different subjects and types of students, it was certainly well received in this class.

Alexandra Huber III

Love these strange insect people again by the amazing Alexandra Huber.

Alexandra Huber II

My mind is a little messy this morning, as I am going away at 2.30am tomorrow, so this painting by self taught artist Alexandra Huber is a perfect illustration of how I feel, with all the things I have to do pinging around my head. 

Alexandra Huber I

I love this advancing kiss by Alexandra Huber it has speed, trepidation, excitement and fun.
Have a lovely Sunday and give someone you love a kiss. 
(thank you)

Holly Parks

'Young Loves' by Molly Parks. This picture made me want to take a bird cage or two into class and also find more work by Molly Parks. 
Molly is an outsider artist who comes from a family rich in artists and musicians. Molly is part of Arthouse Meath a wonderful organisation that not only provides great classes but also has very effective merchandising and gallery connections.

Mose Tolliver III

Wonderful strange beasts by Mose Tolliver to take us into Monday afternoon.

Mose Tolliver II

Mose Tolliver.

Mose Tolliver I

Mose Tolliver (1920-2006) had 13 children 11 of whom survived to adulthood. In the 1960's he had an accident where his legs were crushed by marble. The accident left him unable to work and so he had more time to devote to painting, something he had always pursued as a hobby. 
He was to be come the most celebrated folk artist of Alabama.
I do not know what this collection of creatures by Mose are, some remind me of moles others of  insects or strange tree cones with legs but I love their graphic simplicity and boldness.