Big Day :) and other stuff . . .

Well there hasn't really been much to say about what I've been doing, mostly because of holidays :) but also because I've had a few health challenges which have kept me "subdued,"  I don't really like mentioning my health challenges but unfortunately they form an integral part of my life, so it's normal for me; (but I know folks don't want to keep hearing "he's out of it"  . . . . again). So I keep focused do what I can do and enjoy life as much as I can . . . . . and if I don't write on my blog most people will guess why (I hope).

Anyway today is the day I get to do the final acceptance view of the proofs, pick up my paintings and sign off the prints with my friends at Redcliffe Imaging in Bristol.

The framework of my new website is completed and it's just the special pages that need finishing (although I have set it back a little by deciding to change the colour of some of the interactive widgets - what can I say I'm an artist ha ha).

Nearly the final thing to say is that over the summer and the various holidays I've been on; I've changed my mind about which piece comes next in my painting schedule (hopefully I can start in the next few weeks). All I can say is that it's a summer scene and yes - there's a nice car in it (the title is secret for now). The inspiration for this one just popped into my mind whilst listening to music and snoozing (not awake but not asleep) on a sun bed by the pool on a very hot day in Turkey. When I came around I had it fully formed in my mind in colour with all the details, all i have to do is bring it to life on canvas.This means that "Lou-Lou Belle" (Lipstick and hot rods) will come along later in the year, followed by "The Race," and then maybe "Start!"

And finally . . . I would just like to say a BIG thank you to all my twitter followers (@Michae11O) and Facebook friends and liker's for being there and sending some great supportive messages. Thank you very much xx

PS: If you're new to my "world" it would be great to meet you on twitter or facebook :)

At Redcliffe Imaging checking Proofs

Today I've spent a few hours with my friends at Redcliffe Imaging checking the first stage proofs for "Baby Luscious" and "The Posse."

Its a major job looking at colour correction and options across a large painting like "The Posse" and "Baby Luscious."

As always it's an art form in itself getting an authentic reproduction across all light mediums; so that I can say "yeah" that's an accurate reproduction that will be printed on museum grade canvas and papers. So those of who've been waiting to buy prints of The Posse and Baby Luscious all I can say is the wait is nearly over :)

Another session next week, once some tweaks have been made, but in the meantime I thought you might like to see what the proofing assessment table looks like.

The image strips are all slightly different and on paper and canvas so that we can check the reproduction on both mediums.

And to give you some idea of scale, that little picture in the middle is approximately the size of an A4 / Letter paper from a home printer.

Music the "Muse" to boost Creativity.

The most important thing for me is capturing that moment and the thought that inspires my work in a tangible form, so that I can effectively play it back when I need it. I use sketches of course but also Mind Maps taught to me by my friend Tony Buzan (one of the most innovative thinkers on the planet). You can find out all about Tony's Mind Map technique here

But these alone are not enough for me. I need another dimension to lock in the image.

So how do I do it?

It's going to sound simple but it was really hard to learn (for me) but the results are amazing; don't keep grumbling about getting on with it please . . . .

When an image appears unbidden for me to apply to canvas I sketch it up roughly and quickly, and then tag it with music. I find a song or tune from my collection of music that I think suits the image and I play it LOUD (headphones are best) over and over while I think about the image and play with the sketch both mentally and on the paper. I do this a couple of times a day for a few days. Then in my work book I redraw the image and add the title of the music I used (and where to find it). And forget about it until I'm ready.

This really comes into it's own when I start work on the canvas. I play the music for that piece over and over while I'm preparing and the Muse arrives complete with the vivid image in fine detail.

It took a lot of practice to start with and single minded concentration that was almost meditation but now it's easy and thoroughly enjoyable. It's now an integral part of my creative process.

How did I come across this?

Actually I worked it out for myself.

Early on in my illness my clinicians used harmonies to help my speech and I remembered something about music helping certain types of thought. So I thought "I'll try tagging or imprinting my mental images with music" so that it makes recall easier.

I'm also able to push my mood into the right place ready to be creative with music as well now, using the same technique.

There is probably some clever neuroscience behind all this; but it works for me and I recommend it to you.

Let me know how you get on with it.

Best wishes


Mike.

The Up's & Down's of Life.

The ups and downs of chronic illness means that sometimes there are BIG gaps in what I'm able to post (and do in my normal life) but hey ho, life goes on for all of us; and we all have our own challenges and goals to focus on so let's move on with the latest news.

The Posse is now completed! And goes to my friends at Redcliffe Imaging next week along with Baby Lush to be scanned ready for the website launch early in July (says he, hoping the techies sort the gallery bugs out). Websites always seem to be more complicated than you think they're going to be; doesn't help when I keep thinking of things to add and change though . . . . .

I've also had some interesting conversations with some people who would like to use my images on merchandise (like Tee shirts, Greeting Cards etc) and this is a very exciting development. More on this later this year, maybe an Autumn collection?

Also in talks with a BIG name Gallery to show my entire collection (when it's finished) which is also so amazing and hard to take in, especially when I've been "out of it" (which is my phrase for the bad phases in my illness) so much recently. It just shows you that if you believe and stick with your dream good things will happen (although you do get severely tested, I believe it's just life / the Universe / God making sure, that you're sure and determined to see it through - and I am).

I am a very lucky man!

My imagination has not been quiet while I've been laid up and I have made many (very) rough sketches of some great paintings to complete in the future when I can get going again. "Lou Lou Belle" is next, then maybe "The Fugitive" (sister to The Posse), then "The Race", then "Rubber Smoke," then "Diner Doll" then "Steer Time" maybe not in that order and there some others that I like that I've not mentioned but just those above are a years effort (assuming that I don't get taken "out of it" for very long periods).  I can't wait to be able to paint again.

Thank you for following my Blog, I hope you enjoyed the update.

Best wishes


Mike

Nearly There :)

After a great Holiday at the Riviera Maya Barcelo Resort in Mexico I'm back in the groove. It's amazing how some consistent warmth and persistent sunshine can make a person with health challenges feel better in themselves and ready to face their issues with more confidence.

I now have one of my early paintings "The Summer" on view and for sale at Caffe' Rosa in Whitchurch, Bristol UK.

This piece holds my vision of summer, soft lush green grass to walk on barefoot, a beach to find shells on (in this case a Nautilus Shell) and a blue sky with wistful clouds to enjoy it all under.

 
My plan is slowly coming together; The Posse is nearly finished (see below) and when it is it will be off to the printers with a couple of my other works for image capture for the giclee prints. I can then start selling exclusive high quality prints from my new website which I will turn my focus to next.

The meadow grass base is in and the Marshall is finished.

So as mentioned I have to get my website finished before I start my next piece (called Loulou Belle); the website basics are in place but as always it's the detail that takes the time.

By the way if you're interested in obtaining a print of one of my pieces of work before the website goes live, just contact me for details.

Wishing you a great day.


Mike

Another Blustery Day

Another blustery day (not the Pooh Bear film) with leaves, twigs and birds speeding past the windows (and yes it's Springtime) and my dogs grumbling everytime the wind rattles the letter box.

Meanwhile work is well underway on my new website. I've had to learn a lot of new code; but luckily I remember a lot from my old days. I have a domain ready and I'm trying to think of other non-obvious domain names I could get to link to the site to give a wider spread. Some ones I like (iconic-art derivatives) have long gone.

If anyone has any ideas for domain names that suit my work I'd love to hear them please :)

Thanks for stopping by.

Well it's been an exciting couple of days; my Doctor has fixed another symptom of my immune system challenges that took me "low" for over a week and much more noteworthy; I've been to my printers (Redcliffe Imaging) and gone over the proofs of two of my early pieces of work and approved them for production!

The Cruisers is one (see below) and The Nautilus is the other one.

I am excited, frightened, nervous and really happy knowing that I'm one more step closer to my dream of being an Internationally recognised artist. And a BIG thank you to you dear reader for being with me early in my art journey and helping me to share my work.

The next steps are for me to continue creating my work (5 more paintings to go, 6 done), getting a good website ready and getting my work in front of the people who want to buy it.If anybody has any advice I would love to hear it.

Thanks for being here and I hope you have a great day.

Nearly finished "The Cruisers" 5ft x 4ft acrylics on stretched canvas.