Creative process

I managed to finish my assignments in time, and now i am trying to pull my creative process into exactly that... a process, rather than scattered bits that are extremely unmanageable. I have these ideas buzzing around but to many and too split up to work out what to do and where to start. I was trying to figure out a way, i wrote down all the themes i have been working with lately (the last 2 years - since being here). Then I started writing down themes and media explored in the past, since i started at unisa in 1999. All of this to try and find a common strain and decide on something, one theme to work with. Still a bit blank about it though, i don't know what i actually want to say or make. The thing is i have heaps of photos and video footage that i have taken over the past 2 years, that i want to use, but because i was not following one specific intention it does not really fit together. Chatting to Al about, i realise that half of the problem is that it is all over the place, and not categorized at all. So that could be a starting point, just to go through it all and make a catalogue. I can give it a go.

I have been toying with the idea of an animation based on a story by Clarissa Pinkola Estes, from Women who run with the Wolves called the wolf's eyelash... it kind of seemed to fit my situation of coming to London, (in the story a girl goes into the woods) Maybe i will get into this a bit more later, but getting to my image for the day, its a wood scene.

That's all for tonight... i am going to a life drawing class tomorrow, so hopefully that will help get me flowing again, i am really looking forward to it.

land act revisited

It been beautiful in London, sun shining and clear skies. I have been working away at art history assignments, which is going quite well, and I have managed to join two excellent reference libraries, which has helped lots. I'm hankering after time to work on my art, but its not long to go because my assignments are soon due and then I can work on art guilt free. I am really actually enjoying the research and writing, which is a first (at least in a long time). One of them is about informal art training in South Africa in the 1950's and 60's. Reading about Sophiatown, and the forced removals got me thinking about the animation that I did for the Journey to freedom project for UNISA. I think that I did not think about the seriousness of the forced removals and how tragic they really were, well, maybe I did but being my first animation, I think I was more concerned about getting the embroidered images moving and less about the impact it had. My animation is kind of humorous. Anyway, I am glad that I've realised this now, and have been thinking about how I could have done it differently which is a step in the right direction, I suppose.

Back from SA

Arrived back on Tuesday morning and went straight to work, which was a bit of a shock to the system and exhausting but it was okay.

Being home was wonderfully strengthening and renewing. I was so happy to be with my family again, strangely i expected that after so long they would all seem unfamiliar, but it was not at all so, it was like we had never been apart. I find this very comforting, still to belong and feel comfortable with these people that are most dear to me.

Arrival and Sycamore Trails
We arrived on Sunday 25 March. Fran, Mike and Tim fetched us from the airport. Mom, Dad and Alistair arrived shortly after us and we had lunch together. Friends came to visit later and stayed at Fran and Mike's for the night. Next morning we prepared everything for the family holiday, unfortunately Mike had to stay to move into new office. We got to Bronkhorstspruit at about midday and started packing the trailer etc. We arrived at Sycamore trails at about 6, just as it was getting dark. Dad joined us the next morning and took us up the mountain in the landrover. It was an exciting drive, dipping through small ravines through forest. Alistair, Fran and Francesco and i walked up to the waterfalls, Spog the great dane in tow. There were beautiful spiders, plants, flowers, butterflies, trees. By the time we got back to the Chalets, we were hot tired, thirsty and a little burnt. We had a braai for dinner and spent the evening around a camp fire talking. it was lovely. The insects around us buzzing and screeching, the stars twinkling.

20 days since last post

So much for every day. Heading home for a visit after a year and a half, on Saturday, i am excited, happy and a little nervous. I can't wait to see everyone and breathe the open air and get out of this frosty, windy place. Bags are packed, but still have to check everything. I'm trying to get things tied up before we leave so i feel a bit tired. i feel that there are big changes ahead. not sure what to expect. Whatever you expect, you'll never know for sure. so for all the times i miss everyone at home, i am going to try and relax and enjoy just being with you all.

robo aliens

what jamie and i do when we should be working...