Writings: "A lot of reviewing here"..

Sometimes writing for other sources can gives us an indication of our state of mind and thought patterns. My contribution to Caroline's question, when looked at another angle,is a statement on my views and decisions. They are hence important ideas that could be contemplated/fed upon/reflect/self-analyse; ideas that can sometimes prove to be be useful.

To Caroline
Hello Caroline,

So sorry for late reply. As you know, I live in Mauritius; an island which is very far from European countries. My country is sufficient in many ways; however there is much progress to be done in the field of art. The resources here are limited in the field of art (in terms of the learning itself as well as in other facilities-libraries,books,professionals in the field ..) There is a rigid system of learning at the university offering the MFA course here and I really did not want to embark in that. The OCA system is very suitable for me. First, I immediately became in contact with most recent issues and the actual trend and I was able to identify myself in this context. Secondly I am learning at my own pace as it is a part-time course and the lapse of time given to complete a work for example is just perfect. I am a working woman with two children and this system is suitable for me. When comparing with "attending the courses at the university itself", I also feel at an advantage as I do not have the hassles of traveling, which is not a negligent issue when you have to consider about a total of about three hours of traveling and the hassles of peak time, traffic, etc. from my house to the University offering this course in Mauritius; all amounting to a waste of precious time and energy. There is only one University offering this course in Mauritius and up to now they are unwilling to offer this course at a part-time basis too. Also, most importantly, I feel there is more of a proper flow in the way the courses are delivered online: communication is more smooth and hence learning takes place in the right way. Another advantage is the fact that tutors are more available in a sense while communicating through mails and online access.

I always thought that being an Art Educator and spending so much time on my making;I did not need to be much conversant with the internet. This course changed my views and thoughts entirely. I learnt a lot by this technological tool and I can now fully weigh its importance now. I also feel that online learning is going to be a common system in the future. More and more people are willing to adopt this system.

For me, being able to have access to such enriching sources while being with my family, working, looking after my house and spending quality time with my precious ones is a dream come true. I am a busy person with a heavy time-table; however I also feel accomplished and complete in many ways.

Hope this will be of help.

My studio space is also something quite intimate. By looking at the answered questionnaire I had a glimpse of something different/something changed. It was like looking right through myself with a pair of new eyes. Answering this questionnaire gave me a new insight on where I stand now.

  

STUDIO USE QUESTIONNAIRE-Handout 2.1 

What do you do in your studio or the place where you usually make work?

My place of work is usually a small room in my house. I have chosen this place to have access to the other rooms rather quickly in case I was needed for my children. I usually go there when I want to be isolated at times and all my materials and my artworks (and lot of junk things which are interesting to me) are kept there. However, I soon found out I like to be around people so I have also converted a small part of the living room into a working place. This is the place where all family comes to sit in. I like the noise and chattering and the TV is almost always on. I like to work with the TV on; this was so since I was in my teen years I think.

Well, I work. Sometimes if I am not distracted I can even work for very long hours. These are the times where I always ask myself how I have not noticed the time flowing by. I can even skip meals too. I am really grateful to my husband for taking things over the house when these “absences” happens. Sometimes, when I am not in the mood for serious work, I like to think about things and I always doodles on paper. Blank papers and pen/pencils are always kept handy. I think this is where “intuitive art” came from. By looking at my doodles (lots of pen and ink drawings), I found them interesting and wanted to pursue them further.

I also read things there and drink a lot of tea. I really like tea (tea manufactured from Mauritius) over coffee and I can drink tea everywhere, anytime (even on a hot summer day). I also like to re-source myself before going to the studio and the best place is strolling outside. The best place is to the beach; however I also like public gardens and Children’s Spot. I think “feeling good” is something important for feeling confident for creating.

Which of these things you want to be doing and which you do not?

Of course, all I want is to remain in this world of mine where all I want to do is create and remain close to art. I think if I was not aware of my responsibilities, I would easily have drifted to an introvert, lonely personality. I think coming out of this comfortable bubble is also important. In this way, the experiences I lived and learnt in turn reflected in my art.

I want to try out many techniques. I think the reason behind that is that I always had a curiosity (and also a deep sense of respect) for the artist who thought differently from me; who created something by thinking differently from what I could have thought. I personally think that by learning one can mutate his/her art form into a higher level and being an Art Educator, I also want to be an all-rounder.

I feel restless of the time I spend time doing nothing; so I do not like to sit idle. However, I also understand that this is some kind of process for creating (the wait before the bounce). More importantly, I do not want to stop doing art in any way. I think art is something that balances everything around and I am at a stage where I cannot do without it in my life…

What else do you want to do that you don’t? Why aren’t you doing these things?

I would like to make long journey; maybe go to pilgrimage (maybe to India) and obviously, so many things involved to this as budget, etc

Is your studio set up for you to do what things you want to do?

No, I think my studio is a little too small. I shifted in my new house only a year and a half ago and when I started the MFA course I realised I didn’t have the space like I had from my previous place of work. However, I also think I can work anywhere. I can convert my garage for “messy” works and I have even worked outside a lot of time in the past and I really like it (even when the sun is scorching).

What stimulates ideas and your imagination?

Anything can. Sometimes a film, sometimes a useless twig or a broken toy. I like reading books too. I like action packed things with clever intrigues as compared to soaps. I think ideas also comes from everything that is around us; so it sometimes very important to look around our surroundings and question our real source.

How do you keep tracks of your projects?

Before the MFA course I did not do much proper tracking of my projects. I just kept photographs of works I did. However, the journal for this course has now become an important tool for record and organisation.

Is it too messy and chaotic or too neat and tidy?

Definitely messy. I am really thankful for the people who cleans the mess after as it seems I am forever cleaning something and I am not finding sufficient time to do it.

Do you feel at home and relaxed?

A definite yes. I even find myself to be organised in a sense; as even in the seeming “chaos”, I can easily find my things around and I am too engrossed in serious business to look after trivial matters.

Can you play there?

I don’t think so. The room is quite small, not a place for playing. There can also be unwanted accidents. Best place for playing is outside the house.

Can you refine and finish work there?

Yes, definitely the place for refining and finishing any work.

Is there enough storage?

Up to now I have two store rooms where I have kept previous works. For the actual studio, all my present works are kept there. Maybe I will have to look for another store in future.

Do you have a comfortable chair to sit in to contemplate work?

Yes I think I must be having one. However, I do “need” one, any chair can do the work: one that guarantees no backache would be the best.

Is the light adequate?

Yes; however I like to work by daylight and most of my works are done during daytime.

Are there enough electrical sockets?

Yes they are sufficient for me.

Is there a good enough Internet connection?

Yes. However the whole internet surfing is done in another room (to escape from “the mess” of the studio). To be away from materials and dust.

Where else do you make work or think about work or carry out research?

Everywhere. I like taking my camera with me everywhere because I know I can find interesting things around. I think I can also work anywhere; I mean if I feel that I have to work in a bigger space for example, I just think I will look out for the place, find it and start working there.

What do you do in these places?

-Not applicable-

Do you need to make any changes?

No. everything has been set in place for my comfort so no change. Maybe more space, but not for now..

Another questionnaire on Theory and Practice- Interesting class with Angela (02.03.15) as we are midway through the course and we reflected on our progress. New approach, new styles, more understanding, mature thinking, self-development (many things discussed)..Here is yet a small part of another questionnaire on Theory and Practice that I just have to re-write my ideas on: 

Reflecting on Theory and Practice. Generating and selecting ideas.

1     First Question:How do you go about selecting and developing your initial images/ideas?

I think at some stage, initial thoughts are like the foundation of what we actually are.

When I joined the course, I wrote about how ideas just comes in “...it can be anywhere and it can just be anything. Of course, it has to be of instant interest, it has to be appealing, captivating and it also has to be of some conceptual weight.” However, right now I feel such a change in my way of thinking, maybe these would not be the words I would be using. Well, as our friend Jevan Watkins Jones just said, “ideas comes..the best ones are the ones that aren’t forced..original ideas are precious..”  I can identify myself in what he says and I can reflect from this journey from what I was thinking initially. What I would probably have replied to this question is that: sometimes ideas are just common materials, they have to be TURNED into something, sometimes they work out and sometimes they don’t.

Often I teach about “maturity in style and approach”, here I am applying this to myself. Lots of going on in my head right now, I think re-organisation is to be thought upon.

I also talked about “systematically proceeding towards my ideas” by questioning myself. Well, to this I will say that I have broken up some set of rules I had created for myself in the past to create new ones. Right now, my concerns are about the intuitive and by connecting to “the unknown”, there is no systematic approach there... A lot of things need reviewing here.