Motherhood Project Progress 2/2
Thursday May 2nd - I went through the Making Is Thinking questions this week and it’s helped guide me toward a resolution for the project. Some things that came up were:
The EYE as a symbol - I used to have reoccurring nightmares as a child of a large disembodied eye watching me. I’m not sure where this came from, but I was reminded of it in the works of Billie looking at me. This seems an important part of being a mother - the child looking to me for comfort, help, amusement, love, the list goes on. The gaze of the child also provides a connection with the viewer.
Need to include my eldest in the work. Exclusion of her in the work does not fit with giving the viewer a true insight into mySELF, my life as mother.
Embroidered details could work well as a link to my matriarchy, as well as my desire to do more creating/providing beautiful things for my children.
Using baby wipes as a process in wiping back, removing, undoing is an amusing link to the mundane daily tasks of wiping bums and faces. Maybe a video of the process / my studio life is needed.
Soft pastel along with pencil and charcoal works best due to it’s properties that speak to impermanence, ever-changing, layers, soft baby skin, moodiness.
Using oil pastel for the children’s art works well as has that crayon-like quality and bold colours.
I made several small mockups for the banners to get a feel for compositions and how the layering would work. My 5yo daughter joined me in the oil pastel work and quickly drew a few compositions. I’ve decided that I will ask her to do the art work for the banners rather than me replicating her work. Although I will act as art director, her own hand in the work is important I believe to connect with the viewer on an emotional level, as well as making it a truly collaborative work with my children.
I worked out the basic layout of the catalogue yesterday (below). Yet to translate this digitally.
I still have a LOT to do in the next week. However most is not labour intensive work. Planning to set up and document my mini exhibition on Wednesday ready for presentation on Thursday. Wish me luck / pray for me!
Thursday 9th June - Due to battling ongoing illness I’ve requested an extension for my final presentation, however wanted to provide an update on where I am at.
I’ve decided to layer my own drawings of my daughters with artwork by them.
One of the photographic works that will be printed on the reverse side of my exhibition catalogue
Feedback was around black charcoal being too imposing, to look at how I can soften it. Thinking to incorporate another layer, maybe with some colour blocking on that layer. Can try wiping back some of pastel too.
Wednesday 14th June - Did some experimenting today for the 3rd layer. Oil paint straight and with lean medium. Transparent red and blue, opaque flesh tint. Worked back into with pastel/pencil. See below.
