The Word Becomes Art

  Since New Year 2008, instead of making new years’ resolutions, I’ve been choosing a word of the year. At this time of year I consider and select a word which expresses something of what I want to explore or become or be influenced by in the coming year.  Previous words have been: freedom, curiosity, enjoy, balance, passion, nurture, sustain, restore, clear, build, integrate, gentle and fit. Some words have been better than others: highlights have been freedom, passion, clear and fit; whereas balance and sustain, while seemingly good words, were terrible to live with.  This year my word is poise. As with many ideas, it came to me as I was walking in the park. The main thing to say about it is that I don’t think I could have chosen this word if I hadn’t allowed some of the previous words to work in me.  I began with the dictionary and thesaurus, which is where I often begin when seeking to understand or illustrate something. Then I made this.  I then went on, in...

 This is work not related to the course, but is part of what I’m making at the moment.  I’ve been making my own cards for about 16 or 17 years. Initially I used to make every single Christmas card with collage and purchased or home made embellishments. It took a LOT of time. In more recent years I’ve done a single design and then either had cards printed or printed them myself.  I settled down one day in November and drew this year’s design. I did a bit of Google images searching for ideas on how to draw an angel, then just sat and drew. I then took it into Photoshop to redraw the word ‘Peace’ as it had become a bit blurred with the dark greens of the grass. I also redefined the angel’s mouth as it had come somewhat adrift of the face! Other than these small adjustments the design was simply an ink outline coloured with a number of layers of coloured pencil.  I thought I’d finished with designing Christmas cards for 2021, then I received an email from Penny, one of t...