…
2012 has been a pretty tumultuous year for Peter and me. Those who know us will be aware of the events that have made it a challenging time for us. No more shall be said about that here, and I mention the matter only because it’s meant I haven’t had the concentration for easel painting. But I’m a great believer in making the most of whatever the situation may be, and so I’ve entered into the spirit of moving forward and finding new ways to make images.
I’ve been fortunate in the projects that have evolved during this time, because while graphic in spirit, they’ve nevertheless allowed me to capitalise on my strengths as a visual artist without having to re-invent myself as an illustrator. Marly Youmans has suggested there have been significant changes in my approach to making images, and looking back over 2012, I can see that she’s right. She wrote today of a new collage completed for her poem Thaliad:
‘Your birds are changing–more elongated and elegant. Flowers, too. There’s a new bigness and a bit of a threat in places. There’s a bit of spear-and-trident in this one, for example. I wonder how this set of projects will change your big-scale work. No doubt the collages have been refreshing to your mind while you and Peter are in the midst of turmoil.’
